HONG KONG (SE): The Order of Preachers [Dominican Order] in Hong Kong celebrated the ordination of four friars to the diaconate on 28 August 2024, the feast of St Augustine.
The ordination was a milestone, as Brother Cesar Lino de Sousa Ximenes became the first deacon ordained from Timor-Leste for the Dominican Order. The other brothers ordained to the diaconate included Innocent Han Zaw Htun from Myanmar, and Dominic and Joseph.
All of them completed their novitiate year in Hong Kong at St. Albert’s Priory community.
Brother Cesar and Brother Innocent completed their studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Macau, while Brother Dominic and Brother Joseph did theirs at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Hong Kong.
Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong, presided over the ceremony which was concelebrated by Monsignor José Louis Díaz-Mariblanca Sanches, the delegate of the Holy See in Hong Kong, Dominican Father Rubén Martínez Ortega, the prior provincial of the Holy Rosary Province, and 20 other priests, including the professors from Hong Kong’s Holy Spirit Seminary and St. Joseph University in Macau.
The ordination was a milestone, as Brother Cesar Lino de Sousa Ximenes became the first deacon ordained from Timor-Leste for the Dominican Order. The other brothers ordained to the diaconate included Innocent Han Zaw Htun from Myanmar, and Dominic and Joseph
Family members, professors, classmates, friends, and fellow Dominicans from Hong Kong and Macau all gathered for the ceremony at Rosaryhill Chapel, Stubbs Road.
The solemn liturgy culminated in the laying on of hands by the cardinal and the consecratory prayer for the bestowing of ‘seven-fold grace’ upon the ordinands.
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen congratulated the candidates for saying “yes” to Christ in this world, where it is a great challenge to be a minister of the Word. He encouraged them in their new office, stressing the importance of humility and service in their ministry to the people of God.
Each friar brings a unique background and experience to his vocation. Their commitment to the Dominican charism of preaching and teaching was evident throughout their formation, and their ordination as deacons signifies their readiness to serve the Church in new and profound ways.
On behalf of all the newly ordained deacons, at the end of the ceremony, Brother Joseph thanked all those who journeyed with him during his stages of religious formation, including his parents, relatives, formators, professors, and friends.
The brothers expressed their gratitude to all those present at the celebration.
The Domincans ask for continued prayers for them and for all other student brothers in formation, as they too prepare for ordained service in the Church.
