In late June young Augustinian Recollects Josimar Aguiar Lameira of Brazil and Sebastián Canastrelli of Argentina made their solemn profession at the monastery in Monachil, Granada, Spain. Earlier, Santiago Elías Blasi made his solemn profession in the parish church of Our Lady of Light in Portel, Brazil.
Religious from the houses of the Order, members of the SAR fraternity, friends of the Theology Faculty, and parishioners from Zubia gathered to congratulate these new Augustinian Recollects and to thank God together for continuing to call courageous young people to commit their lives to building up the Kingdom and the Order of Augustinian Recollects.
“Let God Surprise You”
The Prior Provincial of Saint Thomas of Villanova Province, Father Simón Puertas, exhorted the young religious in his homily to let God surprise them, as they place themselves at the feet and at the service of others. Josimar and Sebastián’s invitation, depicting a man meditating in the shadow of the cross, bore the prayer, “I know that it is not easy, but I will follow you.”
May the Lord grant these three brothers perseverance and fidelity along the journey on which they have embarked, and may they be good disciples of the One Master, placing all their confidence in Him who gives strength in weakness.
Ten More Lifetime Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines
In mid-August the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno gratefully and joyfully celebrated the solemn profession of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience of ten other brothers at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Quezon City in the Philippines. The solemn rite marked the commitment of these young men for life to God, to the Church, to the Order, and to the People of God.
Those who sealed their lifetime religious commitment by their profession of solemn vows were Nelson S. Plohimon, Rafael B. Pecson, Nimrod Q. Launio, Enrico S. Nacorda, John Zachary A. Haguisan, Juan Pablo R. Tanquis, Jerik Troy P. Siozon, Leo Neil C. Bullos, Lounal E. Jarumay, and Jayferson A. Baldelovar.
Authenticity
Father Lauro V. Larlar, Prior Provincial of the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines, presided at the ceremony and reminded the young religious of the importance of the vows that they were professing. In his homily Father Larlar emphasized the wisdom of those who embraced the evanglical counsels in order to free themselves from a false sense of autonomy, a false security in possessions, and false feelings of affectivity. An intense moment of the celebration was the joyful welcoming personal embrace of the newly professed by their fellow religious.
The clebration was enhanced by the presence of many Augustinian Recollects, diocesan clergy, religious priests from other congregations, sisters from several communities, parishioners, and, of course, the parents, relatives, friends, and benefactors of the newly professed. At the conclusion of the celebration, Friar Nelson S. Plohimon expressed the gratitude of the professed to the congregation.
Peru
Finally, in late August, Sofiano Ayquipa Cabrera made his solemn profession at Saint Ezekiel Moreno Seminary in Lima, Peru. The ceremony was simple and familiar and graced with the presence of the the Augustinian Recollects of the ministries in Lima and Sofiano’s mother and sister, who traveled from Arequipa in southern Peru to be present for the important event.
Father Ricardo Rebolleda, Vicar Provincial of Saint Joseph Province in Peru, spoke about the characteristics of Augustinan community and of the religious who identifies himself with it in order to live the ideals of Saint Augustine. Father Ricardo also expressed the joy of Saint Joseph Province in receiving a new religious and congratulated the newly professed on behalf of Father Daniel Ayala, Prior Provincial, and Father Juan José Ceballos, who works with Friar Sofiano at Saint Florentina Parish in Madrid.