23/04/2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Saint Dominic,
Greetings in Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord!
On Saturday, April 25, we, the Lay Dominicans in the Philippines, will gather as one family at the University of Santo Tomas for our Annual Assembly. This year’s gathering is particularly significant, as the triennium of Dr. Eugene Delos Santos, OP, and his Council comes to a close, culminating in the election of our new Provincial Government.
We are reminded that our Dominican vocation is rooted in both study and community, for as St. Dominic taught through his life, we are to “speak only to God or about God.” Likewise, St. Thomas Aquinas affirms: “Contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere” — to contemplate and to share with others the fruits of contemplation.
As your President, I strongly urge all who are able to attend this important assembly. Together, let us listen, learn, and grow as we reflect on our call to become Stewards of Grace. This mission is especially urgent for us as Lay Dominicans, for to be a “grace to others” is to bring Christ into the realities of the world in which we live.
In the afternoon, the capitulars or representatives of each chapter will gather to elect our new Provincial President and Council. We express our deep gratitude to Dr. Eugene and his Council for their dedicated service over the past three years. Let us pray that this election may be holy, fruitful, and guided by the Holy Spirit, raising leaders who will remain faithful to the rich Tradition of the Dominican Order, especially our identity as the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic, formerly known as the Third Order.
As I reflect on these past three years, I see them as a time of grace, a preparation for even greater blessings for the Lay Dominicans in the Philippines. Yet, with hope for the future, I humbly present several important concerns for our incoming leadership:
1. A Serious Commitment to Education and Formation
Formation is essential to our vocation. As St. Catherine of Siena reminds us: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” This can only be achieved through solid intellectual and spiritual formation.
The foundations for a unified formation program have already been laid. It is now crucial to strengthen this by entrusting formation to competent and well-formed Lay Dominicans, particularly those trained in Theology, Philosophy, and related disciplines. Formation must be holistic, structured, and mission-oriented, enabling us to become effective preachers in our respective fields and states of life.
2. A Return to Dominican Tradition
While we are secular in state, we are not secularized in spirit. Our identity is rooted in our baptismal consecration and deepened by our profession in the Order. However, there is a growing concern that our vocation is sometimes reduced to that of a mere organization rather than a true participation in the life of the Order.
As St. Vincent Ferrer preached, “Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God.” We are called to holiness in the world, but according to the Dominican way of life: through prayer, liturgy, study, community, and apostolate. A renewed fidelity to our traditions, including our liturgical and devotional practices, is essential if we are to remain authentic witnesses of the Gospel.
3. Evaluation of Structure and Directory
We acknowledge the ongoing work on the revision of our Directory. However, it is important that this document remains faithful to our original charism and to the liturgical norms approved by the Church.
The Church teaches in the Lumen Gentium that the laity share in the mission of Christ according to their proper vocation. This calls for a structure that promotes true collaboration, respecting the role of the friars and nuns while also affirming the rightful autonomy of the laity within the Order.
A more synodal and less centralized approach may better reflect both Dominican tradition and the ecclesial vision of communion.
4. More Pastoral Engagement and Programs
As Lay Dominicans, we are sent into the world to preach the Truth. Yet, some chapters face inactivity or decline, especially due to a lack of vocations.
Encouragingly, several chapters such as those in UST, Letran, Laguna, and others are flourishing, particularly among the youth. This shows that active engagement, meaningful programs, and visible presence attract vocations.
As St. Rose of Lima exemplified in her life, holiness lived authentically in the world draws others to Christ. We must therefore become more present, proactive, and responsive to the needs of our communities.
Finally, I ask all who are able to offer sacrifices and prayers from April 22 to 24 for the success of our Assembly and especially for the Provincial Elections. Let us offer the Liturgy of the Hours and the Holy Rosary, imploring the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon our capitulars, that they may choose not by influence, but through true discernment.
As St. Dominic himself entrusted everything to prayer, so must we.
Be assured of my prayers and sacrifices as we offer these acts of love for our beloved Venerable Third Order.
In St. Dominic,
Dr. Dave Ceasar F. Dela Cruz, OP
President
