Story and Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga and Rachel de Gracia, CVPro
An encounter with the Augustinian Recollect community of the religious, Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity (SARF), Recollect Augustinian Youth (RAY), Christian Mothers of Sta. Monica and the Former Seminarians of the OAR (FORSOAR) highlighted the Visit of Renewal 2024 of Rev. Fr. Bernard C. Amparado, OAR, prior of the OAR Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, and his secretary, Rev. Fr. Jose Ernil F. Almayo, OAR.
The visit was from July 1 to 4, 2024.
Message from Pope Francis
Fr. Amparado first shared the message of Pope Francis to the Augustinian Recollects during the General Chapter in Rome last year. The Pope told the OAR priests not to be bothered nor worried that they are declining in numbers (less than a thousand OAR priests exist worldwide as of press time) “but your charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit; this gift of the Holy Spirit will not be destroyed—it will only transform for as long you are willing to share your spirituality to the people around you, the lay.”
On this note, Fr. Amparado challenged and inspired the lay members of the community to truly imbibe the charism of the OAR.
Formation by the Prior Provincial
The prior provincial, who arrived in San Carlos City last July 1, 2024 to visit the Recoletos de San Carlos community, went on to discuss the “Four Characteristics of the Charism of the OAR.” The formation emphasized on the importance of prayer, the very first characteristic which is “contemplative.” Thoroughly explained was the Order’s “communitarian character” so as to inspire Recoletos de San Carlos especially in the daily living of the vocation.
Fr. Amparado also reported positive news in that the late missionary to the Amazons, Rev. Fr. Loreto Dacanay, OAR, whose first assignment as an OAR priest was as campus minister and teacher of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos, is now believed to be “saintly” and evidences are now being gathered about the granted intercessions through him.
The Visit of Renewal also included a campus tour of CST-R Basic Education and College Departments and a visit to the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of Colegio de Sta. Rita de San Carlos, Monteagudo-Recoletos and Motril in Calatrava town.
The Feast of St. Thomas, The Apostle
On July 3, 2024, Fr. Amparado was the main presider and homilist of the Holy Mass in Honor of St. Thomas the Apostle, while the concelebrants were Rev. Fr. Cristopher C. Maspara, OAR (STV-R prior and CST-R president), Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter A. Silab, OAR (vice-prior) Rev. Fr. Joel Dequilla, OAR (CST-R VP for administration and finance), Rev. Fr. Excel Saycon, OAR (CST-R CEDO director) and Fr. Almayo.
“God never leaves us hanging on air.” This was the prior provincial’s final point as he reflected on the Gospel about Doubting Thomas during his homily.
