St Dominic's Church, or Igreja de São Domingos, is a seventeenth century Baroque church in Largo São Domingos (St Dominic's Square). It is said to be one of the most beautiful church in Macau, and certainly one of the best kept. As its name would have indicated, the St Dominic's Church was built for Catholics of the Dominican Order (also known as Blackfriars in England and Jacobin in France). It stands on the site of a chapel established by three Dominican priests who came to Macau in 1587 from Acapulco in Mexico.
The St Dominic's Church is connected to the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary. Our Lady of the Rosary is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as related to the form of prayer known as the rosary. The origin of the rosary is attributed to a vision of St Mary (Marian apparition) to St Dominic in 1208 in Prouille, France.
It was at St Dominic's Church that the first Portuguese newspaper on Chinese soil was published. It was called A Abelha da China (The China Bee), and the first issue rolled off the press on 12 September 1822.
Following the sighting of Our Lady of Fatima by three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, the St Dominic's Church was the first in the Far East to integrate the worship of Our Lady of Fatima into its religious services, and so is the starting point of the annual procession in honour of Our Lady of Fatima. From this church in Macau, the cult spread to other places in the Far East including Shiu-Hing (in Guangdong, China), Timor, Singapore and Malacca.
St Dominic's Church as bright yellow walls with mouldings and ornamentation in white. The doors and louvre windows are painted green. At the pediment is the insignia of the Dominican Order. The structure comprises the nave, the chancel and a three-storey bell tower. By the side door, you can also visit the church's museum. Among the items on display are the robes of the priests and other religious items of the Dominican Order.
St Dominic's Church is one of the heritage buildings in the Historic Centre of Macao inscribed by Unesco as the World Heritage Site.
Getting there
Using the Largo do Senado as starting point, walk all the way down the square and then look to your left, and you will see St Dominic's Church.
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