Hello Brothers and Sisters

Welcome to St. Martin de Porres Homepage

The Dominican Laity is a community of lay people who follow the spirituality of St. Dominic. We are committed to living a life of prayer, study, and preaching in the world.

News and Update

New Lecturer Meeting
Mar 21

Way of the Cross

Friday, March 21 at 3:45 P.M. in the chapel through the recitation of Way of the Cross with the sisters in the community.

Online Teaching
Mar 25

The Annunciation of the Lord

Tuesday, March 25
Luke 1.26-38: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favoured one!

Higher Education
Mar 23

Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus 20:1-17 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder.You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. 16You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Student Training
Mar 30

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month. On the day after the Passover, they ate of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day after the Passover, on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.

Join the Dominican Laity

Are you called to live a life of prayer, study, and preaching? Join us in our mission to spread the Gospel.

How to Submit an Application to Become a Dominican Laity

Becoming a member of the Dominican Laity is a profound commitment to living out the Gospel according to the charism of the Order of Preachers. Below are the steps to submit an application:

Dominican Saints in Asia

The Dominican Order has produced several saints and blesseds who have significantly impacted Asia through their missionary work, evangelization, and martyrdom. Among them is St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr, who was associated with the Dominicans before his execution in Japan in 1637. Another notable figure is St. Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia, a Spanish Dominican missionary who preached in Japan and was martyred in 1633. The Martyrs of Vietnam, including St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, a Vietnamese Dominican priest, also stand out for their steadfast faith despite severe persecution. Similarly, St. Francisco Gil de Federich and St. Mateo Alonso de Leciniana, both Dominican missionaries, suffered martyrdom in Vietnam. These saints and many others exemplified the Dominican spirit of preaching and sacrifice, leaving a lasting legacy of faith across Asia.

Dominicans in Taiwan

​The Dominican Order, formally known as the Order of Preachers, has a historical presence in Taiwan, primarily through the efforts of Spanish Dominican missionaries who arrived from the Philippines in the 1860s. These missionaries played a significant role in establishing the foundations of the Catholic Church on the island.

As of 2022, the Catholic Church in Taiwan comprises approximately 1.4% of the population, equating to around 330,000 individuals. This demographic includes both the Dominican community and other Catholic congregations. Specific statistical data exclusively detailing the number of Dominican clergy or affiliated laity within Taiwan is not readily available in public sources. However, the enduring influence of the Dominican Order is evident through their historical contributions to the Catholic Church's establishment and growth in Taiwan.

The Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic in Taiwan

The Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic, a congregation of Dominican sisters, have played a pivotal role in the development of Catholic education and pastoral care in Taiwan. Established in 1933, this congregation operates several institutions across the island, notably in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Dominican International School Taipei: Originally established in 1957 as the Dominican School, this institution has evolved into the Dominican International School, catering to students from kindergarten through grade 12. The school offers a modified American curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is situated at 76 Dazhi Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City.​ Misioneras de Santo Domingo.

Mission in Asia

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Dominican missionaries ventured into various parts of Asia, including the Holy Land, Armenia, Persia, and even reaching as far as India and China. They established missions among diverse communities such as the Jacobites, Nestorians, Maronites, and Saracens, often facing significant challenges in their evangelization efforts. ​.

The Dominican mission in Taiwan has a rich history, beginning in 1626 with the establishment of nine missions and the baptism of approximately 7,000 individuals. Although this initial mission concluded in 1642, the Dominicans returned in 1859, resuming their evangelization efforts. Over the years, they founded various missions, schools, and churches, significantly contributing to the Catholic Church's growth in Taiwan. Notably, the Beata Imelda College was inaugurated in 1917, and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Kaohsiung was granted the title of Minor Basilica in 1984.