Br. Gregory Travel Journal from Taiwan
Posted on 22Apr CATEGORIES: Blog, Faith Notes, General, Newsletter, Pastor's Corner, Uncategorized

Br. Gregory on April 20, 2016
The priory where the student brothers reside is located right behind Fu-Jen Catholic University, at which the brothers take courses of philosophy and theology. Interestingly, just like the house of studies in Oakland, it is called St. Albert’s Priory. I was invited last Thursday by the prior, Fr. Angelik, to join the brothers for their weekly vespers with benediction, followed by dinner and an extended recreation.
When I arrived at the priory, the brothers embraced me with open arms and immediately made me feel at home. We said to each other, “We’ve known each other for so long on Facebook, and now we finally meet each other in person.” There was an instant connection. Praying the Divine Office in Mandarin Chinese with the brothers was a whole new experience for me. During the dinner and recreation, I noticed that the brothers are curious about me and the Dominican life in the Western Province, just as I was equally curious about them and their lives. As I found out, there were five student brothers and four priests in that priory community. One of the priests even knew Fr. Corwin from Rome! I was not the only guest that evening.
I met a vocation candidate who would like to join the Order in Taiwan. Interestingly, he was a graduate student from Japan, studying Chinese literature. At the end of the evening, I was invited by Fr. Angelik, to attend the Sunday Mass with the brothers at St. Dominic’s Parish in Taipei.
