Professione Nostra: Letter on the 20th Profession Anniversary of Fr. Regent (10 May 2021)

PROFESSIONE NOSTRA

On the Occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary 

of the Profession of the Fr. Regent into the Order of Preachers

The Fourth Letter to the UST College of Science

10 May 2021

Dearly beloved Dean Emeritus Carmen G. Kanapi, PhD; Dean Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD, Academician and Professor Emeritus; Dean Maribel G. Nonato, PhD, UST Vice Rector for Research and Innovation and Academician; Dean John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD; Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD, our incumbent Dean; Prof. Ma. Claudette M. Álvarez-Agnes, PhD, Assistant Dean; Prof. Cecilia A. Banag-Morán, PhD, College Secretary; members of the Faculty Council and Executive Committee; Department Chairs; officials of the Faculty Association of the College of Science; Faculty Members of the UST College of Science; Guidance Counselors, Alumni, Benefactors, Students and their Parents, Support Staff, Maintenance and Security Staff; Friends of the UST College of Science; Brothers and Sisters: 

Greetings of Peace!

By our profession, we, Dominicans, dedicate ourselves to God, embracing Christ's kenosis; and at the same time, we share His life in the Spirit. The profession of a Dominican friar is one of the most important milestones in his life. The act of professing, with God Almighty as our witness, means promising to always live in the Dominican way of life—a promise that entails daily battle, often with the world, against temptations, and much more often, with oneself. In this way, we endeavor to remain faithful witnesses in the Church. 

Moved by filial devotion, we also promise to obey the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, as the most loving Mother  and Protectress of our Order. We also promise obedience to St. Dominic, the founder of the Order, observing fidelity to his spirit and ideal. Furthermore, we promise obedience to the Master of the Order and his successors. 

Today, I am celebrating my 20^th year as a professed Dominican, along with my batchmates Frs. Julius Paul Factora OP, Dexter Austria OP, and Jessie Yap OP. From twenty persons who heeded the call of God and entered our formation house in Calamba—which is also named after our patron, ‘St. Albert the Great Pre-Novitiate House’—ten moved on to the next stage of formation in the Novitate in Manaoag; then  eight professed and became student-brothers in Quezon City, and four were ordained and are still persevering until today. In spite of our weaknesses, God has called and chosen us to His mission. 

Many would confuse profession with ordination. The former incorporates us as religious into the Order of Preachers, while the latter consecrates us as members of the clergy. Yes, Dominicans are both. We are religious priests. In order that we may be perfected in the love of God and neighbor (cf. Mt 22:37-39) through the sequela Christi (following of Christ), we, Dominicans, are incorporated into the Order of Preachers by profession. Consecrated totally to God, we are dedicated in a particular way to the universal Church, “being appointed entirely for the complete evangelization of the Word of God.”

Last night, one of my batchmates asked me a simple yet a profound question: “What is the one thing that you are thankful for in these 20 years of profession?” I told him, “I am grateful that we are trusted in the Order, in the Province, and in the University.” I do cherish that trust, and since I am entrusted with the responsibility of the Regent of the UST College of Science, I am taking such mission not just seriously but also joyfully, as St. Dominic, the doctor of truth and joyful friar, would accept his mission. 

Our religious profession is rooted  in our baptism that we share with you. In our baptismal promises, we renounce the darkness and believe in God, who is the Light (cf. Mt 5:14-16 and Jn 8:12). We continue to seek the light amidst the darkness of our time. Sometimes, we tend to focus more on the things that we previously enjoyed, such as the face-to-face classes, field works, mask-free and face-shield-free movement, one’s tender embrace among others. The things that we may have taken for granted before the pandemic become somewhat a luxury today. This too shall pass (cf. 2 Cor 5:17), but we don’t have to wait for the darkness to totally disappear before we seek the Light. We must not forget what we still have each other to hold on to.

The UST College of Science family itself is one of our greatest treasures. Please take care of yourself and remain steadfast in faith, because there are many persons who love you, and they would be very sad to see you wallowing in sorrow. By baptism, we are consecrated to God, and as children of God we are all given the mission to preach the Good News; in our particular circumstance, “praedicare Evangelium per scientiam ad Dominum” (to preach the Good News through Science towards the Lord)—the very dynamic taught by our patron, St. Albert the Great. God provides us with the grace as we embrace our profession as children of God, and our profession as scientists, students, and staff.  

As we endeavor to seek the Light amidst the darkness, we are directed concretely to reflect on the image of the “Tria Haec” immortalized atop the UST Main Building. It constantly reminds us never lose faith, hope and love. As Thomasians, together with all the baptized, our profession of faith, hope and 

love, all manifested in our studies, works and researches, serve as light amidst the pandemic. May the blessing of our Holy Triune God, in Whose Name and for Whose honor the College of Science fulfills its scientific endeavors, be with you always. May you receive it in full, along with my renewed friendship and continued affection for all of you.

In Sanctis Thoma et Alberto Magno,

Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, OP, EHL

Regent, UST College of Science

Post-scriptum:

Before the day of our profession, it has become customary to write our names on one of the bricks of the walls of our room as an attestation of God’s grace. May we continuously inspire others and continue to persevere in preaching and living the Word of God.