Dominican Family Asia Pacific Jubilee Retreat

The Quadricentennial Pavilion of the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila was the venue of the Jubilee Retreat of the Dominican Family in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Jubilee Retreat was held last October 12-14, 2015 as part of the preparations of the Order of Preachers in celebration of our 800 years of foundation. The Dominican Family is composed of Friars, Nuns, Sisters, Lay and Priestly Fraternities, Youth, volunteers and mission partners. The most number of delegates came from the sisters’ congregations from the Philippines. Other foreign participants from different branches of the Dominican Family came from Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar and South Korea, among others. Present also were some officers of the Order of Preachers, coming from Sta. Sabina Convent, our world headquarters in Rome, Italy. There were approximately 1,200 participants in attendance.

The main speaker of the three days retreat was Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, former Master of the Order of Preachers, and a member of the Dominican Province in England. “Sent to Preach the Gospel” is the general theme of the 800th foundation anniversary of the Order of Preachers.

On the first day of the retreat, the theme was Mercy – “What do you seek? God’s mercy and yours.” These are the words we Dominicans use when we make our religious profession. Archbishop Socrates Villegas, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and presently a novice of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic was the mass presider and homilist. In the afternoon, Fr. Radcliffe gave the first conference of the retreat on the topic of mercy. The first day of the retreat concluded with a common celebration of reconciliation.

The theme for the second day of the retreat was Communion – “The Joy of the Gospel.” In the morning, Fr. Radcliffe gave the second conference of the retreat which focused on joy. In the afternoon, several participants from different countries in the Asia and Pacific Region gave prayer testimonies.

On the third and final day of the retreat, the topic was Mission – “Go…preach the Gospel.” In the morning, Fr. Radcliffe gave the third conference on mission. In the afternoon, there was a panel discussion and sharing by five selected members of the Dominican family.

Each day of the retreat started with the praying of the rosary and the Morning Prayer. A group of Dominican youth provided animation by leading the participants in lively action songs and the singing of the jubilee song entitled “Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare”. This is the motto of the Dominican Order which translates in English as To Praise, To Bless, and To Preach.