The Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters originated in 1725 in Manila. As part of the Augustinian Recollect family the Congregation is engaged in intense evangelizing work through its educational apostolate, retreat centers, orphanage, nursing homes and dormitories, among others. The Augustinian Recollect Sisters are present in the Philippines (35 communities), Australia (1 community), Spain (1 community) and USA (2 communities). We had an opportunity to interview Sr. Cleofe Maria Agua, AR, currently general secretary of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters.
Q: Where do you come from?
Sr. Cleofe: I come from Bonifacio Misamis Occidental. It is located in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines. I came from a family of educators and devout Catholics. My parents were lecturers in the Family Life Apostolate while I served as organist in our parish with my other siblings as members of the choir. I am the eldest in the family of nine children. With the grace of God, our parents were able to send us to College and all of us ended up as professionals of different fields.
Q: Tell us something about your life before you entered the convent
Sr. Cleofe: Prior to my entrance into the convent, I was studying then and graduated, at the age of twenty, from an Education course at the Immaculate Conception College managed by the Columban Sisters in Ozamis City.
While in College, I had contact with the Columban Sisters and the Carmelite Sisters. I joined the vocation club of our College, which was named, “Columban Student Circle” and whenever I had problems I found myself going to the Carmelite Monastery as my parents also had a Sister-friend there. I joined some organizations in our Education department, such as Guitarist Club, volunteer student-Catechist in public schools as a way also of enhancing my skills as a future educator.
Q: How did you meet the Augustinian Recollects Sisters?
Sr. Cleofe: I met the Augustinian Recollect Sisters through Sr. Alfreda Lobitaña, AR, the high school friend of my mother and a relative of my father. During her vacations, she would visit my Mama and I was so interested on her since elementary until College. I was first attracted at the prayerful disposition of Sr. Alfreda Lobitaña, AR as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and attended the Holy Mass with fervor. Her friendly character also persuaded me to join her Congregation.
When I finished College in October 1989, the Lord paved the way for me in January 1990 to go with Sr. Alfreda Lobitaña, AR to St. Rita Dormitoy in Cebu City, then eventually to St. Rita College Manila.
There are no Recollect convents (OAR or AR) in our Archdiocese, but even then our parish has produced five AR Sisters and two aspirants. There are also two AR Sisters coming from nearby parishes in the Archdiocese of Ozamis.
Q: What do you like most about the Augustinian Recollect charism?
Sr. Cleofe: I like most the fraternal charity in the community among the Sisters. The Sisters seem to be of one mind and one heart with loving concern for each other. This is not to say the reality of some grudges but Sisters are able to handle it well.
It is a blend of contemplation and action. We are immersed in the active apostolate yet we remain rooted in prayer and community life.
Q: For the moment, what has been your work in the Congregation of Augustinian Recollect Sisters?
Sr. Cleofe: Perhaps, my background as an educator inspired my superiors to assign me in schools. After my First Profession of Vows, I was assigned as Religion teacher of St. Rita College Parañaque, then at St. Rita College Manila where we were actively involved in the visit of St. Pope John Paul II.
Then, I was assigned in the province of Cebu as Asst. Principal of Our Lady Academy in Ronda Cebu and Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Minglanilla, Cebu.
After finishing the needed exposure as a Junior Sister, I had my Enclosure for my Perpetual Profession of Vows in 1999.
Then, I was assigned for two years at the motherhouse serving as Choir In-charge of San Sebastian Basilica, Catechism classes at a nearby public school, teaching in the College Department of St. Rita College Manila and writing my thesis to finish Master of Arts in Education.
My first assignment as Principal of the Basic Education Department was at Colegio de Sta. Rita, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental for four years. It served as my initiation to the task of a school administrator.
Then, my Superiors assigned me as a local Superior and school head of Colegio de Sta. Rosa, Intramuros, Manila for one year. I enjoyed participating in the choir of the Manila Cathedral where we had interactions with Cardinal Rosales. It was at CSR Intramuros that I realized that given a choice between a local Superior of the Community and a school head, I would prefer the latter. Lay teachers are easier to handle than Sisters!…
As a result of the General Chapter that year, I was transferred to Colegio de Sta. Rosa Makati as school Directress. While on the way there, I told my Superior General, “Mother, it is like going to a battle ground!” Mo. Maxima introduced me to the Coordinators who warmly welcomed me at the same time challenging me to manage the school well. With God’s grace, I journeyed with them for five years with two school accreditations. It was there that I started becoming an Accreditor of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and finished my doctorate in Educational Leadership.
For six years (one year in Intramuros and five years in Makati), the Recollect Fathers were my “School Superior” as the President of the Board of Trustees was always the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.
Then, I was transferred to my previous school, Colegio de Sta. Rita, San Carlos City Negros Occidental as Directress, Dean and Principal.
It was only for a year, because as a result of the General Chapter in 2012, I was elected as the General Secretary and 6th General Councilor. It’s quite a difficult task indeed, attending to the requests of the Sisters, sending communications, keeping confidential matters, etc. I am looking forward to finish the term in 2018 and be given another assignment outside the Generalate Office, God willing!
Q: What do you want to ask from the Order of Augustinian Recollects?
Sr. Cleofe: The main thing we ask is to be of one mind and one heart as members of the Augustinian Recollect family.
On the other hand, we ask for a continued support particularly in the Cause for the Beatification of the AR foundresses-the Servants of God Mo. Dionisia and Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz.
Q: What are the dreams of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters?
Sr. Cleofe: We dream for holiness of all the members. We dream of becoming authentic Augustinian Recollects following the spirit of St. Augustine. We dream of becoming faithful daughters of mother Church with a Recollect identity.
More information about Augustinian Recollect Sisters in www.augustinianrecollect.org.ph
