The new Prior Provincial of the Philippine Province of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, was formally installed on Tuesday, February 2.
The installation of Father Filemon Dela Cruz Jr., OP, was held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila, in Quezon City.
The 57-year old priest prayed that like Jesus, the province will grow “stronger, full of wisdom, learning from our mistakes in the past.”
He also expressed hope that the congregation find favor in God as a province and as individuals.
Father Dela Cruz recited the profession of faith and Oath of Fidelity before Father Napoleon Sipalay OP, who ended his term after serving the post since October 2016.
Father Dela Cruz was canonically elected during the 12th Provincial Chapter of the congregation on January 17, 2021.
Born on January 19, 1964, in Manila, he entered the Dominican Pre-Novitiate in June 1980 and was vested with the habit of the Order on May 11, 1983.
Father Dela Cruz made his simple profession on May 11, 1984, and his solemn profession on May 11, 1987.
He was ordained to the priesthood on April 30, 1992, by Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio, then prelate of Bacolod.
He studied in Espiritu Santo Parochial School in Santa Cruz, Manila, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies in 1986, his canonical degree of Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology in 1991 and his Masteral degree in Theology in 2006 from the University of Santo Tomas.
Father Dela Cruz was Master of Students in 1992-1996; Master of Novices in 1996-2000; Promoter of the Dominican Clerical Fraternity in 2012-2014; Provincial Councilor in 2012-2016; Socius of the Prior Provincial in 2014-2016; he served in many ministries in the University of Santo Tomas from 2001-2017; and Superior of the Dominican community of the Rumah Santo Tomas in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 2017 to 2020.
Prior to his election, he was assigned brother to the House of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs in Navotas.
The Dominican Province of the Philippines said Father Dela Cruz will serve as prior provincial for the next four years.
