Former Varsitarian editor in chief Bro. Eugene Dominic Aboy, O.P. and six Dominican brothers professed to the Order of Preachers during rites at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City on May 24 which coincided with the Memorial of the Translation of St. Dominic.
In his homily, Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P., head of the Filipino Dominicans, urged the newly professed Dominican brothers to “embrace the life of Holiness” of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order.
“I really pray and encourage you, wherever you go, even just in the community, living our day-to-day life, do not lose sight of the life that Dominic lived, [his] pursuit of holiness,” de la Cruz said.
Aside from Aboy, brothers Nico Paolo Moron, O.P., Dominico Xaverio Budoyo Satiawan, O.P., Tommy Riezky Tiyanto, O.P., Robertus Silveriano Raditya Dearbantolo, O.P., Gian Linardo Mari Estrella, O.P., and Diego Ardianto Halim, O.P. made their solemn profession to the order.
The newly professed Dominican brothers were told to “expect bigger responsibilities.”
“[T]here’s so much faith and hope in you, because we have the courage to move forward, to dream, to go perhaps to other places because we have you,” de la Cruz said.
“We are placing the life and mission, and the future of the Order on the hands of our younger brothers,” he added.
Aboy served as editor of the Varsitarian from 2019 to 2020.
“[I]t can be very daunting to make a lifelong commitment, [but] at the same time, this uncertainty also gives a sense of mystery,” Aboy said.
“This mystery is also the source of great joy since I have my community with me, and of course, I am assured that Jesus is at my side on this road that he has called me to tread,” he added.
During the solemn profession of vows, the brothers pledged to “dedicate [themselves] totally to God” and strive to perfect charity.
The Dominican Province of the Philippines marked its golden anniversary on Dec. 11, 2021. It was established on Dec. 8, 1971 as the 41st province of the Order of Preachers with Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, O.P. as its first provincial.
