The Solemn Vestition on the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

May 08, 2017

One of the Most Happiest Dominican Stage is the Novitiate for the reason that you will be more closer to God and your Brothers in the Novitiate.

It is my second time to attend the Solemn Vestition of the Dominican Novices (the first time was last year and presided by Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP).

Last Wednesday, May 1, 2017, Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, 17 Postulants were vested in the Habit of the Order of Preacher by Very Rev. Napoleon Sipalay, Jr., OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines together with Rev. Frs. Roger Quirao, OP, Prior of St. Albert the Great Convent and the Director of Aspirants, Norman Quilaquil, OP, Director of Postulants, Jessie Yap, OP and the Novice Master together with other Friar-Priests from different Convents. The Student-Brothers, Religious Sisters from the Order (OP-Siena and Anunciata), the Stella Maris Nuns of Calamba, Families and Friends of the new Novices were present during the Eucharistic Celebration. The Celebration was celebrated at St. Albert the Great Chapel of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba.

During the Homily, the Prior Provincial tells his expiriences during his Novitiate Years and the essence of the Novitiate Period. The Novitiate Period is a Probation and Non-Academic Year, it will begin on the day of your vestition and the period is for fourteen (14) months, without Cellphones, Gadgets, Social Media, Television and even visits of your Family Members and loved ones, just only yourself, your Brothers and God through the Maternal Protection of Our Lady of Manaoag.

Br. Kurzweil Lusica sings the Responsorial Psalm.

Fr. Sipalay preaching the Homily focusing on the life of a Novice

After the Communion Rite, the Rite of Vestition begins by calling the Candidates who will be vested in the Dominican, they we're called according to their age. The Prior ask the candidates what do they seek, they answered: "God's Mercy and yours". The candidates were vested by the habit one by one, the habit is composed of Tunic, Cincture with 15/20 decade Rosary, Scapular, Black and White Capuche and Black Cape (Black Cape and Capuche are only used in Special Occasions).

The Student-Brothers (Coristados) singing Veni Creator Spiritus

Smile!!!

Welcome to the Order!!!!

After the Rites, Rev. Fr. Norman Quilalang, OP, the Director of Postulants thanked the People on behalf of the Province, the Convent and the Postulants by his Words of Gratitude. He also acknowledged the Priests who were present in the Mass. After the Words of Graditude, the Prior Provincial introduced the New Novices to their Master.