Tarpauline welcoming Rev. Fr. Johannes David Michael Kammler, O.P.
THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC MEETS THE PROMOTER GENERAL OF DOMINICAN LAITY
January 28, 2012
Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas
Sta. Catherine Hall, Siena College Quezon City
Our Seraphic Mother St. Catherine of Siena
In the evening of January 27, 2012, I was informed by CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. that Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Prioress General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena (O.P. Siena), extended an invitation to the Company of St. Dominic (CSD) to participate in the meeting of the Lay Missionary Associates of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo (LMAMFES) with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity on January 28, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to be held at St. Catherine Hall, Siena College Quezon City. I was excited about the prospect of meeting the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master General of the Order of Preachers. I was tasked to give a brief presentation on the CSD.
CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. ("Bro. David") before the start of the meeting of LMAMFES and CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and the assembly stand for the Opening Prayer
Since the start of the meeting was at 8:00 in the morning, I was at the venue ahead of time. Members of the LMAMFES started to register as early as 7:30 in the morning. As a member of the faculty of Siena College Quezon City and Siena College San Jose Del Monte, I saw familiar faces and recognized some acquaintances and friends. Two members of the CSD who are also members of LMAMFES, namely Dr. Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. (Siena Taytay) and Ms. Fanny Zurbana (Sta. Catalina College-Legarda), were already at St. Catherine Hall when I arrived. They greeted me and ushered me to my seat in front of the hall.
The Opening Remarks
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and LMAMFES members listen to the Opening Remarks
The Promoter General of Dominican Laity, Rev. Fr. Johannes David Michael, O.P., known in the Order of Preachers simply as “Brother David,” was already in the venue. As I took my seat, Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena approached me. Ever the gracious host, Mother Jess (as she if fondly called) introduced me to Bro. David Kammler, O.P. Bro. David, with a ready smile on his face, greeted me “magandang umaga, po.” When he was told by Mother Jess that I am with the Company of St. Dominic, Bro. David was visibly delighted. He informed me that he knew about the Company of St. Dominic because the Master of the Order of Preachers, Bro. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., told him about our Dominican secular institute. The Master General mentioned to Bro. David that he met the CSD when he last visited the Philippines. I was deeply humbled and grateful to God for this great news.
(For information on the visit of Bro. Bruno Cadoré to the Philippines last year, please see: (http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2011/02/csd-meets-master-of-order-of-preachers.html).
Huge turnout: LMAMFES members from Luzon and Visayas attended the meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
LMAMFES members listen to the presentation of each of the Beaterios
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. seemed to be very much aware of the Company of St. Dominic. He told me that we are the first Dominican secular institute with male members. He informed me about a female Dominican secular institute in France and inquired if the CSD has communication with it. I said we are in correspondence with other Dominican secular institutes but I was not quite aware of the one in France. I said that I would google-search the French institute and establish contact with it.
An army of apostles and missionaries inspired by the Servant of God Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes
An LMAMFES member presents the activities of her Beaterio while the whole assembly listens to her report
Bro. David knew that we have permission from the diocese to erect a consecrated secular community. He said that it was the start of the process of our aggregation to the Order of Preachers. As formator of the Company of St. Dominic, I was inspired and overjoyed by the words of no less than the Promoter General of Dominican Laity. He then told me that he is looking forward to my presentation so that he would learn more about the CSD especially about the total number of our professed members.
Hermanas from Beaterio Taytay
An hermana reports on the activities of her Beaterio
The General Assembly of the Lay Missionary Associates of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes (LMAMFES) started at around 8:30 in the morning. The LMAMFES is an apostolate under the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. Composed of lay men and women, LMAMFES members live out the spirituality and charism of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes, the saintly foundress of the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina, now the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. LMAMFES members pray and work for the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes. The basic unit of the LMAMFES is known as “Beaterio” based on the Beaterio founded by Mother Francisca. The LMAMFES has established Beaterios all over the country wherever there is a presence of O.P. Siena sisters.
Another hermana briefs the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and LMAMFES members with the progress of her Beaterio
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P. listen to the presentation of the Beaterios
The opening prayer was led by the members of Beaterio Siena College Taytay through a multi-media presentation. Thereafter, the welcome remarks was given by Hermana Pinky Bustamante. Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P. provided the orientation on the activities of the General Assembly of LMAMFES. The orientation was followed by the reports of LMAMFES activities.
CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. reads the Programme of the meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.
The following Beaterios presented their reports:
1. Beaterios Pulilan and Plaridel
2. Beaterios San Jose del Monte and Hermosa, Bulacan
3. Beaterios Taytay, Baguio and Biñan
4. Beaterios Legarda and Bicol
5. Beaterios Generalate and Quezon City
CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. presents his report on the Company of St. Dominic to the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
Bro. Marwil N. Llasos reads the Fundamental Constitution of the Order of Preachers
The Company of St. Dominic was also given the opportunity to present a report of its activities. As instructed by our Supreme Moderator, I was the one who made the presentation in behalf of the Company of St. Dominic. Essentially, I briefly stated the history of the CSD, its structure, membership and main apostolate. I highlighted our relationship with the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. The Congregation adopted us and took us under its roof and provided us with protection, support and formation. The CSD was, so to speak, born in the bosom of O.P. Siena. My presentation can be found here:
Bro. David Kammler, O.P., General Promoter of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master of the Order jots down notes from the report of the CSD Formator
CSD Formator briefly mentions the history of the Company of St. Dominic
After a short break, the General Assembly resumed with the introduction of the guest speaker by Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P. Then follows the inspirational message of Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P., the General Promoter of Dominican Laity.
Bro. Marwil Llasos briefs the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and the assembly about the apostolate and activities of the CSD
CSD Formator Marwil Llasos, O.P. thanks O.P. Siena and the LMAMFES for the opportunity to report on the CSD to Bro. David Kammler, O.P.
Bro. David Kammler first discussed the apostolate of preaching. According to Bro. David, the ways of preaching is varied. For instance, he mentioned that Fra Angelico preached with his magnificent works of art. Bro. David showed a painting by Fra Angelico of St. Dominic wherein the four fingers of St. Dominic are shown as not pointing on himself but on the words of the Gospel. St. Dominic pointed to Christ. It was at this juncture that Bro. David said that St. Dominic did not want to be a Dominican; he wanted to be a Christian – to live the life of Christ.
During the break, members of the CSD pose for photo-op: Artist Reggie Macapagal shows his portrait of Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P.
In the picture: Standing - Fanny Zurbana, O.P.; seated, from left to right - Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D., Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P., Ph.D., and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.
Flashing the picture of Bro. Bruno Cadoré, O.P. on screen, Bro. David Kammler intimated that he came to the Philippines as a Delegate of the Master of the Order of Preachers. He said that there were instances that when he would fill up immigration forms, he stated as the purpose for his travel as “to visit family.” To Bro. David, the Dominican Family is his family – and he is at home wherever he goes as long as there Dominicans in the place.
Another picture of CSD members: Reggie Macapagal holds his painting of Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P.
In the picture: Standing - Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P., Fanny Zurbana, O.P.; seated, from left to right - Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D., Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P., Ph.D., and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. discussed the Dominican Family. He showed a picture of St. Dominic taken from a convent in the U.S. A sturdy tree is seen framing the statue of St. Dominic. In the picture, St. Dominic seemed to be the trunk with so many branches, twigs and leaves. Bro. David used the picture to illustrate the great Dominican Family as a tree with so many branches, with St. Dominic as the trunk but its roots sink deep into the Gospel of Christ.
Youth Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P. of the Rosarian Youth Movement
A member of Dominican Laity of Baguio and Bro. Nestor G. Limqueco
According to Bro. David Kammler, Dominicans must be inclusive and never exclusive. We must reach out to others and accept each other as brothers and sisters.
Mother Jess Enginco receives the gift from the Company of St. Dominic through brothers Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.
The members of the Company of St. Dominic with the Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena
Bro. David Kammler continued his talk on Dominican way of life by discussing each of the pillars of the Dominican spirituality, namely, prayer, study, community and apostolate. He said that all four are not exclusive to Dominicans. However, we differ from other spiritualities in the sense that the first three pillars (prayer, study and community) are geared for and in the service of the fourth, the apostolate of preaching. Bro. Kammler said that despite the great diversity in the Dominican Family, there is discernible unity. There is a Dominican “family face” so to speak. I fully appreciate the insights of Bro. David Kammler! His preaching on Dominican spirituality made me appreciate and value more our Dominican way of life!
Bro. David Kammler acknowledges RYM Formator Adrian Tambuyat
CSD members with Bro. David Kammler, O.P. Also in picture is Mo. Jess Enginco, O.P.
The Eucharistic Celebration followed the talk of Bro. David. He was also the celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In his homily, Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. stressed the Dominicans’ role as “light of the world” and “salt of the earth.” Once again, Fr. Kammler’s insights are enriching, meaningful and challenging!
CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with the Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of O.P. Siena
CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and O.P. Siena Prioress General Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P.
There was a lunch break after the Mass. During the break, Bro. Bruno gave away beautiful postcards of Our Seraphic Mother St. Catherine of Siena and the Angelic Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas from Sta. Sabina in Rome. The members of the CSD proceeded to a nearby fast-food store for lunch. They went back to St. Catherine Hall at 1:30 in the afternoon. The afternoon session started at 1:45 in the afternoon with afternoon prayer and animation led by Beaterio Pulilan. The animation was followed by a detailed and informative presentation of Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P. on the updates on the Cause for Beatification of Mother Francisca Del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes. (As an aside, I just wish to say that I attended the opening of the Mother Francisca’s cause in 2003, long before I became a Dominican and associated in some way with Mother Francisca’s congregation).
Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master General of the Order of Preachers
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P.
The cultural presentation ensued with the different Beaterios showcasing their talents and presenting the beautiful and colorful cultural heritage of the Philippines. One Beaterio made a “Sister Act” number with the hermanas dressed nuns.
Members of the CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
Another picture of the members of the CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
On the part of the Company of St. Dominic, Satcheil M. Amamangpang of the Rosarian Youth Movement played the organ and serenaded Bro. David Kammler with a beautiful and pulsating rendition of “Eres Tu” and “Dominique.” Bro. David Kammler, O.P. thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the cultural presentations.
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. talks to Youth Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P.
RYM Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P. reports about the Rosarian Youth Movement to the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
Dr. Philip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. of both the CSD and LMAMFES gave the words of thanks. Thereafter followed the Prayer for the Glorification of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes as the closing prayer:
Bro. David Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., Formator of the Company of St. Dominic
“PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER FRANCISCA: "God Our Father, You are glorified in Your Saints for in their lives we see the crowning of Your gifts. We commend to you the life and example of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo. She responded wonderfully to your grace by a life of holiness. As a woman of the Philippines, she drew herself close to you in her service to the sick, the poor and the young.
Bro. David Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Formator of the Rosarian Youth Movement
Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.
The General Assembly of the LMAMFES and meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity ended with the hymn Francisca de Manila as closing song.
Fanny Zurbana, O.P., Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.
Adrian Tambuyat, O.P., O.P., Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.
I close this recollection of the blessed day with the words in the Programme:
“Thank you for making this affair memorable as you made your presence felt and visible… May May Mother Francisca’s spirit of prayer, her service to the poor, to the sick and the young, also be ours today and forever!”
WE ARE ONE IN THE SERVICE WITH LOVE.
Bro. Marwil Llasos is glad to know that Sr. Felisa Sinobago reads his blog
Dr. Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. and Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P.
CSD Supreme Moderator writes information on the CSD requested by Bro. David Kammler, O.P.
Bro. Nestor Limqueco listens to Bro. David Kammler
Animation: LMAMFES members and Mother Jess sway to the music
Students lead the animation
Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P. of CSD join the animation
Students clap during the animation
Bro. David Kammler sits with CSD members Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Adrian Tambuyat, O.P.
Bro. David Michael Kammler, O.P. states that he visits the Philippines as Delegate of the Master of the Order, Bro. Bruno Cadore, O.P.
Bro. David talks about the Dominican Family Tree
Bro. David Kammler, O.P. presents the Dominican Family
"There is a common face among the members of the Dominican Family" - Bro. David Kammler, O.P.
CSD Supreme Moderator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Mr. Justin Lim, O.P. of the Dominican Laity in Baguio City
The choir from Sta. Catalina College-Legarda
Mass presider Rev. Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P.
An hermana of LMAMFES reads the First Reading
An hermano of LMAMFES sings the Responsorial Psalm
Fr. David Kammler, O.P. proclaims the Gospel
Preacher: Fr. David Kammler, O.P. gives a very moving homily
Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. stresses the role of Dominicans as "light of the world" and "salt of the earth"
Lord, hear our prayer: An hermana of LMAMFES leads the Prayers of the Faithful
The celebrant prepares the gifts
Fr. David Kammler, O.P. elevates the Sacred Host
The celebrant raises the Precious Blood of Christ
Bro. Marwil N. Llasos receives communion from Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P.
Bro. Kammler greets brothers Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.
Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, presents an update on the process of beatification and canonization of her venerable predecessor and Foundress of the Congregation - the Servant of God Mo. Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes
A dance number of a Beaterio of the LMAMFES during the cultural presentation in honor of the Promoter General of Dominican Laity
Hermano Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. of LMAMFES and CSD gives the Closing Remarks
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