DFF Get-Together and Christmas Party 2009

Thanksgiving Mass
Defensores Fidei Foundation
December 22, 2009
Greenhills Chapel

Last Day of DFF Apologetics Seminar 2009

December 12, 2009

Last December 12, 2009 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)Defensores Fidei Foundation formally closed its Apologetics Seminar for 2009 with the talk of Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. on local cults and sects. Professor Llasos’ lecture, dubbed Let’s Talk About Sects, traced the history of Philippine indigenous religious cults and sects like the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan), the Iglesia ni Cristo (1914), Members Church of God International (“Ang Dating Daan”) and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above Every Name of Apollo Quiboloy.


Prof. Marwil Llasos presented the fundamental doctrines of the sects and compared these with orthodox Christian beliefs. Using the Bible as his basis, Prof. Llasos debunked the errors of these cultic and sectarian groups. Prof. Llasos likewise answered the common objections against the holy Catholic Faith raised by these fringe religious groups.

Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P. shared the table with Prof. Marwil Llasos as his very able and reliable bible reader.


The participants of the 2009 Apologetics Seminar expressed their gratitude to the Defensores Fidei Foundation, its officers and lecturers for deepening their faith. The manifested their desire to share the beauty of the faith and the power of the truth to others.


After the seminar, the participants had lunch at Amici and shared insights on how to better defend the faith of our Holy Mother the Church.



Defensores Fidei Foundation will hold its get-together and Christmas party on December 19, 2009.



Starting next year (2010) Defensores Fidei Foundation will hold a monthly seminar on special topics. It will invite guest speaker to discuss these special topics.



Also, Defensores Fidei Foundation is planning a series of seminars of apologetics in Tagalog.


The regular apologetics seminar will again be scheduled starting September 2010.


We thank God for the blessings showered on Defesnores Fidei Foundation, its officers, lecturers and participants for this grace-filled year.

Self-Directed Recollection of the Company of St. Dominic for December

Self-Directed Recollection of the Company of St. Dominic for December
By: Hermano Marwil Maria Nacor Llasos,O.P.


December 13, 2009 - Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and Feast of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.

THE COMPANY OF SAINT DOMINIC (CSD) conductedits monthly self-directed recollection. As usual, the recollection started with the Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours (Christian Prayer).
Hermana Riza Galvez, OP shares her experience as newly professed member of the Company of St. Dominic
Two of the members of the CSD gave their respective testimony about the meaning and importance of their vocation in the Dominican secular institute. An ex-nun, Hermana Riza,OP, a newly professed member of the CSD who made her temporary profession last December 5, 2009 said that she finally found her calling to a vowed life in the CSD. On the other hand, Hermano Harold Marie Eugenio,OP, who made his renewal of vows also last December 5 recounted the rather difficult circumstances that attended the founding of the secular institute. He averred that he is convinced that the CSD is the work of God and enjoys the continuing maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary because it has successfully hurdled the obstacles along the way. The unimpeachable proof of God's blessings is the recognition granted to the CSD by proper church authorities.Hermano Harold Eugenio, OP recounts the history of the Company of St. Dominic

Hermano Harold recalled with gratitude and thanksgiving His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales' permission to the institute last August 6, 2009. He also noted the support generously provided by Dominican Order in the Philippines through no less than the Prior Provincial himself, Very Rev. Fr. Quirico T.Pedregosa, Jr., OP. The CSD greatly benefits from the spiritual guidance accorded it by Rev. Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, OP, its Dominican spiritual director and by Rev. Fr. Pedro Traqueña, OP, the secular institute's father-confessor. The CSD's authentic Dominican formation isprovided by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena headed by its Mother General, Rev. Mo. Teresa Examen,OP. The institutes formatress is Sr. Miriam, OP also of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. Of course, the CSD is under the able and gracious supervision of its Minister Prefect, Rev. Fr. Sanny C. De Claro of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Rev. Fr. Willy De Leon, OP talks on Dominican spirituality


After the sharing of Hermana Riza and Hermano Harold, the CSD was privileged to listen to the inspiring recollection talk of Rev. Fr. Willy De Leon, OP, a seventy-three year old friar who once served for the longest time as military chaplain in the AFP. Fr. De Leon's talk centered on the four pillars of Dominican spirituality, namely (1) prayer, (2) study/formation,(3) fraternal life, and (4) apostolic life. Fr. De Leon likewise stressed that for Dominicans, the Word of God is (1) met in prayer, (2) contemplated in study, (3) expressed in fraternal life, and (4) shared in the apostolates. He elaborated on these points by sharing his very interesting, colorful and inspiring life experiences. Fr. De Leon opened his Marian soul by saying that he owes his priestly ministry to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval. The Dominican Order,he said, is a thoroughly Marian Order - the Order and all its members are under the protective mantle of Mary Most Holy as vouchsafed in a vision to our holy father St. Dominic.
Fr. De Leon: "The Dominican Order is a Marian Order."
Upon request of the members of the CSD, Fr. DeLeon blessed the rosaries (and enriched them with the Dominican indulgence) and other religious articles of the members.
The Four Pillars of Dominican Spirituality

Since Fr. De Leon prepared a lengthy outline for recollection intended for religious sisters. Due tolack of material time, he just generously left his well-researched outline to the CSD. Hermano Nestor Linqueco,OP, the interim Supreme Moderator of the CSD, read Fr. De Leon's outline which was contemplated upon by the members of the CSD.
The Dominican's Encounter with the Word of God
The Angelus was led by the youngest member of the CSD, the angelic Hermano Alvin Lozano, OP at 12:00 noon after which lunch followed. As customary to the CSD, the members shared their meal for all to partake.
Rev. Fr. Willy De Leon, OP blesses rosaries and religious items
The recollection resumed promptly at 1:00 in the afternoon for the talk of Hermano Marwil Maria Nacor Llasos,OP on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He started his talk with a parable on the chemical and its container. The chemical, a medicine which is the only cure to a virus of pandemic proportions. He said that the chemical must be compatible with the container. The chemical is Jesus; the container is Mary.
Supremo Nestor Limqueco, OP, interim Supreme Moderator

Hermano Marwil Llasos, resident Mariologist of the CSD and regular speaker in its self-directed monthly recollections, presented a brief sketch of the history of salvation and pointed out the original plan of God for humanity, that is, to be holy and blameless in His sight (cf. Eph. 1:4) which was thwarted by original sin. After the Fall, however, God made a wonderful promise of redemption involving a woman and her seed. This is the Protoevangelium, or the first good news (cf. Gen. 3:15).
Hermano Marwil Maria Nacor Llasos, OP preaches the Immaculate Conception

Hermano Marwil explained the elements of the apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus (December 8, 1854)of Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaiming the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Hermano Marwil noted that four years later the dogma received what seemed to be a divine ratification when the Blessed Mother herself appeared in Lourdes to St. Bernadette in 1958 and identified herself as THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
Hermano Marwil defends the dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Hermano Marwil then discussed the necessity, importance and significance of the Immaculate Conception. Using Bible verses, he argued that the Immaculate Conception is demanded by the Incarnation or of God becoming man; it is also demanded by the holiness of God; and it is necessary to safeguard the honor of her Son. He emphasized these points by giving witty and down-to-earth examples.
Hermano Marwil explains the necessity, importance and significance of the Immaculate Conception
Sor Miriam, OP, CSD formatress and the members of CSD listen to the preaching of Hermano Marwil

Hermano Marwil pointed out the and explained the Biblical bases for the Immaculate Conception. He likewise debunked the unfounded attacks hurled on the dogma by non-Catholics. He concluded his talk with the practical implications of the dogma to the life of each believer.
Rev. Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, OP celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
After Hermano Marwil's talk, Eucharistic Adoration followed. The members of the CSD adored their Lord Who was present in their midst as the Immanuel (God With Us) in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Dominican preacher par excellence: Fr. Ojoy gives an inspiring homily

The Holy Hour was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Virgilio Ojoy,OP, the institute's Dominican spiritual director. As always, Fr.Ojoy gave a beautiful and inspiring homily. Indeed, Fr. Ojoy is a quintessential Dominican, one so enamored with holy preaching.
Hermano Adrian B. Tambuyat, OP tells his experiences in the Dominican Laity

After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, OP, postulant in the Dominican Laity - Santo Domingo Fraternity, gave a sharing of his vocation in the Dominican Family. He intimated his desire to eventually join the CSD as the culmination of his journey in the Dominican way of life.
Hermano Adrian intimates his desire to join the CSD as the culmination of his journey in the Dominican spirituality

The self-directed recollection of the Company of St. Dominic ended at 4:00 in the afternoon with the recitation of the Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Hermano Alvin Lozano, OP, Rev. Mo. Teresa Examen, OP (Mother General of OP Siena Sisters), Hermano Marwil Ma. Llasos, OP and Supremo Nestor Limqueco, OP


Hermano Harold Eugenio, OP, Rev. Mo. Teresa Examen, OP, Hermano Marwil Ma. Llasos, OP and Supremo Nestor Limqueco, OP

LA COMPANIA DE SANTO DOMINGO

The following article is published in NEWS LETTER, the official publication of Santo-Domingo-Lay Dominican Fraternity (Page 2, Vol. 2, Issue No. 4, December 2009)

LA COMPANIA DE SANTO DOMINGO

Cardinal Rosales, in his letter dated Aug. 6, 2009, recognized the establishment of La Compania de Santo Domingo (Company of St. Dominic) as "a consecrated secular community ... for a renewed and integral evangelization." The establishment was attested by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon, Jr. The permission granted the group all the rights and privileges and is under the protection of the Archdiocese of Manila. The group aims to live up the Dominican spirituality in a deeper consecrated life. That means that they live in the world, while binding themselves in the vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. Cardinal Rosales tasked the Company of St. Dominic with the apostolate to give retreats and recollections to the parochial schools in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP, Prior Provincial, has allowed the members of the Company of St. Dominic to use "OP" after their names, signifying their recognition as Dominicans. This is why the event was featured in the OP Website in September (www.letran.edu/opphil).Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, OP, Prior Provincial, celebrated Holy Mass with the Company of St. Dominic.

The Company of St. Dominic held a thanksgiving Mass last September 8, the same day where their secretariat was blessed by Rev. Fr. George Moreno, OP. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP. Among the guests were Sr. Adelina and Mo. Rosario of the Dominican sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. The group's formatress is Sr. Miriam, OP, together with Mr, Nestor Limqueco, OP.
H.E. Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD, read the letter of recognition granted to the Company of St. Dominic from Most Rev. Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, DD.



Editorial Board of News Letter:

Ms. Cecilia Chan, OP
Editor-in-Chief

Mr. Adrian B. Tampuyat, OP
Lay Out Designer

Rev. Fr. Qurico Pedregosa, Jr., OP
Ms. Ma. Retina Sarmiento, OP
Ms. Jaylit Gaac, OP
Contributors

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos Professes Vows in the Company of St. Dominic

Profession of Vows in the Company of St. Dominic

Profession of Vows in the Company of St. Dominic