(Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle leads the Eucharistic celebration opening of the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers. Photo by Alvin Joseph Kasiban)
November 8, 2015, 11:34a.m. – DOMINICANS are called to preach Jesus and save souls, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said as he led the opening of the Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City Saturday.
“Preachers of the gospel are preachers of grace, and preachers of grace are preachers of the mercy of God,” Tagle said in his homily during the Holy Mass for the opening of the Jubilee.
Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P., socius of the provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, led the official proclamation of the Jubilee Year.
The year-long celebration began after the opening of the symbolic Jubilee Door, which Tagle blessed and struck thrice with a hammer. The open door represents Christ who receives pilgrims seeking his mercy.
The altar of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval was lit as soon as the Jubilee Door was opened.
Reflecting on the Dominican Jubilee Year’s theme, “Go and Preach,” Tagle encouraged members of the Dominican family to preach and “save souls” in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pananalig, pag-aaral, at mataimtim na pagtutok sana hindi lamang kayo magsalita. We hope your preaching will emanate,” Tagle said.
The Word of God and the true meaning of a preacher can be experienced through Jesus Christ, he added. “Jesus must be the content of all our preaching,” Tagle said.
Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, O.P., prior provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, delivered a thanksgiving message after the post-communion prayer.
This was followed by the lighting of candles symbolically sending the Dominicans to their missions.
The celebration concluded with the granting of plenary indulgence to the faithful present in the celebration.
“This is a spiritual year. We have started it by celebrating the thanksgiving Eucharist and the granting of plenary indulgences to those people who will be coming to our churches and joining us for the celebration,” Fr. Ivan Obando, O.P., secretary of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, told the Varsitarian.
The Jubilee Year runs from Nov. 7 to Jan. 21, 2017, which is the date of Pope Honorius III’s Papal Bull Gratiarum omnium largitori approving the establishment of the order. Krystel Nicole A. Sevilla and Lea Mat P. Vicencio
