All the participants have taken part in the four-week renewal course that made them experience more profoundly the love of the Lord. The fellowship with the brothers, the conferences and the liturgical celebrations were the activities most highly esteemed by the participants.
The first week coincided with the Annual Retreat of the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno and was directed by Father James Ferry, MM, the present Vicar General for Religious in the Archdiocese of Manila.
The general councilor, Samson Silloriquez, at the start of the second week, highlighted the relation and unity of the diverse aspects of community life. Lauro Larlar, José Fortunato Garces, René Paglinawan, Leopoldo Estioko and Arnel Diaz gave talks on fraternal life, liturgy and prayer, history, economy and some juridical questions.
Formation and vocation were the themes of the third week with the conferences of Michael McGuire on Psychology of Religious Life and of Eusebio Berdon on Religious Life in the World of Today. Dunstan Huberto Decena, Cristituto Palomar and Albert Pellazar guided their reflections on the biblical dimension of religious life, vocation and its pastoral care.
The course ended with the fourth and last week dedicated to the Apostolate. Aside from the talk on Misiones ad gentes by James Kroger, Samson Silloriquez, Emilio Larlar and Emeterio Buñao lectured about the nature of the Apostolate of the Order, the Secular Fraternities and Handumanan, an outreach program for the poor.
Solidarity of the Order
During the whole month, many communities have expressed their oneness with the brothers in the Renewal Course through their messages and prayers. Father General, Javier Guerra, sent a letter from Spain while on visit to communities in Europe.
The participants in the Renewal Course offered prayers as well for the well-being and protection of José Luis Azcona, Bishop of Marajó, who received death threats due to his commitment to the poorest. They have also expressed their gratitude to God for the naming of Anibal Saldaña, as Bishop of Bocas del Toro in Panama.
The Renewal Course ended with a thanksgiving speech by Fr. Lauro Larlar, prior provincial of the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno. In the closing celebration, some Augustinian Recollect friars and sisters from communities in Cebu came to accompany the participants of the Renewal Course. The Order ensures that members participate in a Renewal Course at least once every ten years.