The Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno of the Augustinian Recollects today began its 9th Provincial Chapter, a time of grace, discernment and renewal that gathers the religious of this demarcation with presence in the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Taiwan.
The Chapter will be held at the Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos in Cebu City, Philippines, and will be presided over by the Prior Provincial, Friar Bernard Amparado, OAR. Miguel Angel Hernandez, OAR, who is accompanying this process of fraternal listening and community outreach.
An arrival marked by fraternity
Since May 13, the capitulars began to arrive in Talavera, many of them with joy for living for the first time this experience of provincial discernment. The atmosphere is one of prayer, brotherhood and listening, as an expression of the Augustinian charism.
The first to arrive were delegates from Sierra Leone, bringing with them dreams, concerns and hopes for the mission in the heart of West Africa. They were followed by confreres from Indonesia, Saipan, Vietnam, and from different regions of the Philippines such as Luzon and Negros. Before midnight on May 17, all 28 capitulars were present and ready to begin.
In the words of the Chapter Chronicle, the arrival of the Prior General, accompanied by the Order’s archivist, brought an air of “anima est cor unum” that filled the halls of the friary with life. Fraternal dinners were filled with shared stories, memories and jokes that reinforced the sense of community.
A time of grace for renewing life and mission
The Provincial Chapter is one of the most important events in the life of a religious province. During these days, the religious will reflect together on the present and the future of their community, apostolic and spiritual life.
The Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, founded in 1998, continues the Augustinian missionary legacy with a living presence in Asia and Africa. In this 9th Chapter, the friars intend to renew their consecration and commitment to the people of God, especially in contexts of frontier and need.
A song that narrates identity, history and mission
In preparation for the chapter, the province has released a music video entitled “Province of St. Ezekiel: We Are One,” which in a festive and fraternal tone expresses the identity, history, mission and unity of the province.
“This song is also a prayer and a profession of faith. We are one in mission, one in prayer, one in the Augustinian Recollect charism,” they emphasize in the presentation of the video.they emphasize in the presentation of the video.
United in prayer for its fruits
From the Augustinian Recollects.com and from all the OAR communities around the world, a call has been made to accompany this decisive moment with prayer.
“May the Holy Spirit enlighten the capitular friars and grant them to listen to the voice of God in the cry of the world,” said the Prior General, who is participating in the Chapter.said the Prior General, who is participating in the Chapter.
We walk with them
The entire Augustinian Recollect family unites in communion with the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno in this moment of listening and renewal. Let us pray for their fruits, for their missionaries and for the Church they serve.