Dominican Vocation of Trinbago

 

She was the youngest but one of a very large family. Her father, Giacomo di Benincasa, was a dyer; her mother, Lapa, the daughter of a local poet. They belonged to the lower middle-class faction of tradesmen and petty notaries, known as "the Party of the Twelve", which between one revolution and another ruled the Republic of Siena from 1355 to 1368.   From her earliest childhood Catherine began to see visions and to practice extreme austerities. At the age of seven she consecrated her virginity to Christ; in her sixteenth year she took the habit of the Dominican Tertiaries, and renewed the life of the anchorites of the desert in a little room in her father's house. After three years of celestial visitations and familiar conversation with Christ, she underwent the mystical experience known as the "spiritual espousals", probably during the carnival of 1366. She now rejoined her family, began to tend the sick, especially those afflicted with the most repuls...

Beloved brothers and sisters: because these our sons, who are your relatives and friends, are now to be advanced to the Order of priests, consider carefully the nature of the rank in the Church to which they are about to be raised. It is true that God has made his entire holy people a royal priesthood in Christ. Nevertheless, our great Priest himself, Jesus Christ, chose certain disciples to carry out publicly in his name, and on behalf of mankind, a priestly office in the Church. For Christ was sent by the Father and he in turn sent the Apostles into the world, so that through them and their successors, the Bishops, he might continue to exercise his office of Teacher, Priest, and Shepherd. Indeed, priests are established co-workers of the Order of Bishops, with whom they are joined in the priestly office and with whom they are called to the service of the people of God. After mature deliberation and prayer, these, our brothers, are now to be ordained to the priesthood in the Order ...

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  Reason #1 We need more priests and religious! The Church’s need for priests is growing. As priests die and retire, not enough men are being ordained to replace them. Meanwhile, the Catholic population is growing. This leads to painful parish closings, mergers, and over-worked priests. Likewise, the number of religious sisters has plummeted by nearly 70% in the past 50 years, which means fewer sisters in schools, hospitals, and other critical Catholic missions. Reason #2 We need the Eucharist “Considering that the Eucharist is the greatest gift our Lord gives to his Church, we must ask for priests since the priesthood is a gift for the Church. We must pray insistently for this gift. We must ask for it on our knees.” ~ Pope John Paul II Reason #3 Prayer is the “one thing necessary” “I often think that prayer–the unum necessarium –-is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget or to undervalue.” – Pope Benedict XVI Reason #4 Prayer works! “If w...

I often think that prayer – the unum necessarium – is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget or to undervalue! " ~ Pope Benedict XVI The Unum Necessarium: is the Latin term for the One Thing Necessary which describes prayer as the most important thing a Christian can do with their time. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:42

Congratulations and prayerful good wishes to Sr Paul Maria Clarke OP on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of her Religious Profession – April 18, 2013. For blessings in abundance, we join her in thanking God, her Religious Community, her family, friends and all those who have touched her life, during those years of blessings. May God continue to bless her abundantly, as He alone can.  Sr Paul Clarke was among the Religious Sisters honoured on the occasion of our 50 th  anniversary of Independence. CN file photo

Many years ago I saw the film  Mission  and it remains one of the most inspirational movies I’ve ever seen. One scene toward the very end remains vividly etched in my memory since it relates so clearly to the need for more priests today. The ‘mission’ was being invaded and the priest decided to process with the Monstrance through the village followed by native Indians who had become Christians. As expected, he was fatally shot and as he falls a little boy takes up the monstrance and continues the Eucharistic procession, presumably until there was no one left to proclaim the Eucharistic Christ. Almost two years ago, we lost Fr Compton and only recently Fr Neil, both members of Fraternity of Priests for some 25 years. Losing five priests within about two months, we are left to wonder who will take their places in the lives of the many people who came to depend on them for counselling, spiritual direction, mentoring and just friendship. Until these deaths, the only father...

LAI FOOK, Fr. Arthur C.S.Sp.  died  on 19 th  April at Lourdes House, Arouca at the age of 93. Priest of over 65 years, he was ordained on 20 th  July, 1947. Uncle, great uncle and great-great uncle of the Lai Fook, Jay Williams and Huggins-Chan families.  An Evening Prayer vigil will take place  at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday 24 th  April at St. Mary’s College Chapel.  His funeral liturgy will be celebrated  on Thursday 25 th April at 9:30 a.m.  at St. Theresa’s Church, Woodbrook,  followed by interment at Lapeyrouse Cemetery.

On Sunday 7th April, 2013 Sr. Mary Magdalen of the Resurection (Renessa) recived the habit of the Dominican Nuns of the Holy Rosary Monastery, St. Anns, Port of Spain, Trinidad. We congratulate you sister and welcome you to the Dominican Family. Here are some pictures form that event.

The Poui tree for us in Trinidad and Tobago is a natural sign of Easter.

The New York Times has printed a feature on vocations to the Order of Preachers. Publishing on 3rd April, the American newspaper reports on vocations in the United States of America and in Ireland. The article focuses mostly on the revival and growth of vocations for the Irish Dominican friars in recent years, and in particular on the recovery of some of the basics of Dominican life: the habit, prayer in common, community life. Picture above, printed with the article and courtesy of the New York Times, is of the vocations director Fr Gerard Dunne OP (in the centre) and novices Br Matthew Farrell, Br Adam Conroy and Jessse Maingot from Trinidad and Tobago with his back to the picture.

Bishop Vincent Darius OP “As we rejoice in the election of Pope Francis we must remember that leaders of Church and State at all levels need the support of our prayers. Pray especially for our new pope who has taken up this challenge at the age of 76, that God will strengthen him and guide him. We pray that this joyous event may be the beginning of a great renewal in the Church in Grenada, and throughout the world". So said Bishop Vincent Darius, chief celebrant and homilist at a special Mass March 17 to celebrate the election of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St George’s, Grenada. Recently elected Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and his mother Muriel were members of the congregation. In his homily, Bishop Darius expressed his joy and excitement at the Church’s new pontiff. He said that reading the press reports it seemed as if the media wanted to elect the pope, expressing strong opinions for and against individual cardinals. Bishop Darius...

The archbishop reiterated his call last year for clergy to be “agents of ministers of the merciful and forgiving love of God”, and said he has begun speaking with the relevant authorities about a new facility for first time offenders, so that they do not mix with hardened criminals.  Archbisop Harris and Priest Blessing the Oils  The Archdiocese intends to use its clergy more effectively, while working on changing opinions about the priesthood and religious life. Archbishop Joseph Harris laid out this plan of action as he preached the homily at last Monday’s annual Chrism Mass, concelebrated for the first time at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Curepe. Last year it was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, before it was closed for repairs after the Easter liturgies. Archbishop Harris said this year’s Mass – during which priests renew their vows and sacred oils are blessed – was taking place with “a certain reflectiveness of spirit” because five p...

The first rains are falling No longer the dry season is here Welcome the wet season The burn and brown now gives way to the green In the green is the newness of life. Happy Easter!