Opening of the Dominican Jubilee

In a Papal Bull entitled “Gratiarum omnium largitori” (Giver of All Gifts) dated December 22, 1216, Pope Honorius III confirmed the order, which Dominic de Guzman founded. Since then the order has been known as Ordo Praedicatorum or Order of Preachers.

We are celebrating the Jubilee of the eight-hundred years of the confirmation of the Order of Preachers from November 7, 2015 until January 21, 2017. This celebration of 800 years of the confirmation of the Dominican Order will coincide with that of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy announced by Pope Francis. “Sent to preach the Gospel” is the theme of the Jubilee year of the Order chosen by the general chapter of Dominicans held in 2013.

The solemn opening of the Jubilee of the Order of Preachers was held on November 7th in each community of the Order. The general curia of Santa Sabina in Rome solemnly inaugurated also the eight-hundredth anniversary of the confirmation of the Order with the celebration of the Eucharist, which is also the feast of All the Saints of the Order. All the Provinces, Vice-provinces, communities, entities, congregations, fraternities and other Dominican institutions also celebrated this day in their communities, as a sign of fraternal communion in the confirmation of the Order.

In the Philippines, the focal point of the jubilee celebration is the Opening of the Jubilee Door of our patronal church, Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. The Rite of Opening of the Jubilee Door was held on November 7, 2015 at 5:30 in the afternoon. His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was the Presider and Preacher in the Eucharistic Celebration for the Opening of the Jubilee of the 800th Anniversary, which immediately followed after the opening of the Jubilee Door. A plenary indulgence is granted to all who will offer prayers and masses at Sto. Domingo Church during the Jubilee Year. Members of the Dominican Family, which includes the friars, nuns, members of various Dominican congregations of sisters, lay and clerical Dominican fraternities attended the celebration. A ritual of Light and of Sending to Preach the Gospel followed after the Eucharistic celebration.

In General Santos City, the Dominican Fathers and the sisters of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena also had a Eucharistic Celebration on November 7, 2015 at 10:00 in the morning at the Mother Francisca Spirituality Center. Students, employees and sisters of the congregation from their schools and institutions from Cotabato City, Tulunan, Tacurong, Koronadal, Polomolok and General Santos City all joined in the celebration. There was a short program and agape after the Eucharistic Celebration.