Story By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
Photos By Ma. Nita V. Bolo
February 29, 2024—Three Augustinian Recollect Formators from other parts of the world visited the Thomasian community and gave students words of inspiration. Thomasian talents were showcased as a way to welcome the guests.
Fray Fabian Martin, OAR experienced Thomasian hospitality together with Fray Rafael Castillo, OAR and Fray Kenneth Joseph Onda, OAR, Vicar Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Philippines.
Fray Martin, who is Mexican in descent, is the General Councilor and the President of the Secretariat of Initial Formation and Vocation Promotion of the Order and he is based in Rome, Italy. While Fray Castillo is the current Vicar Councilor, Vicariate of USA and the Local Prior of the OAR Community of Oxnard, California, USA. Fray Castillo is from El Paso, Texas.
The two formators were in the Philippines to give formation to formators of the OAR family in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.
During their short talk with the Thomasians, Fray Castillo inspired students telling them that “God is always with you” no matter the challenges and phases in life they are in right now.
On the other hand, Fray Martin, expressed his gratitude for a warm welcome by “an entire school full of [talents]” and for the students and teachers who are part of the Augustinian Recollect family. The General Councilor then shared that being in an Augustinian Recollect school means two things.
One is that the students’ minds are “inspired to live in truth.” Two is that being in an OAR school means the “heart is educated to live in love and freedom.”
Meanwhile, the former CST-R Campus Ministry Officer, Fray Onda also received a warm “welcome home” greetings from Thomasian teachers who he once worked with during his first assignment after ordination. He is now the President of the Secretariat of Vocations and Initial Formation of the Province.
Fray Cristopher Maspara, OAR, CST-R President, expressed that Thomasians were honored to be visited by Recollect brothers in an embrace of the OAR worldwide.
Fray Martin, Castillo and Onda celebrated the Holy Mass at the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva-Recoletos Chapel prior to attending the CST-R Cultural Welcome Program at the Quadrangle. The three were also introduced to the lay patrons of STV-R.
