Story and Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
October 7, 2020—The Recollect Fathers of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental celebrated the Feast of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary by dedicating a chaplet to Her at Monteagudo Recoletos Retreat House, Barangay Rizal.
The chaplet was constructed through the generosity of a long-time benefactor who asked that she be included in prayers made at the Chaplet of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Birhen sa Rosaryo, Rayna sa Filipinas).
Rev. Fr. Vicente Ramon, Jr., OAR, house prior, led the blessing and was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass. Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Rafael Cabarles, OAR, who is in-charge of Monteagudo Recoletos, organized the exclusive yet meaningful feast day rites.
In his homily, Fr. Ramon alluded to the relationship of Mary and her son Jesus. “Filho de Maria” or the Son of Mary is Jesus’ identity that is highlighted in the Rosary.
The Chaplet used to be an area of refuge where Monteagudo visitors could seat down to rest or reflect after a challenging hike around the hilly sanctuary. In 2018, delegates of the Students Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES) tested their concentration while racing against each other to make a Rosary.
Monteagudo Recoletos was also the venue of SCORES 2018 Amazing Race. In the past school years, Thomasian teachers and students go up to Monteagudo for their annual recollection and retreat. During the Holy Week, devotees perform penitence by joining the Monteagudo Via Crucis.
This spiritual sanctuary has an underground chapel that currently houses antique images of beloved Augustinian saints made of togas.
Although Monteagudo is currently close to the public, Fr. Cabarles is preparing the sanctuary for when community quarantine protocols and the transmission of covid19 will allow mass religious gatherings and pilgrimage.
