Recoletos de Cavite: 400 years of continuing evangelization

This year’s celebration of the Solemnity of St. Ezekiel Moreno took a deeper significance for the entire Province. Commencing the opening of the celebration of the Quadricentenary in Cavite, the Solemn Feast of St. Ezekiel Moreno was marked with a concelebrated Mass last August 19, 2016 at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish. The theme of the celebration is “Recoletos de Cavite: 400 years of continuing evangelization” (1616 – 2016).

The image of St. Ezekiel Moreno was brought to the Imus Cathedral through a traditional caracol performed by selected students from San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Cavite. Administrators, Faculty members, and Non-Teaching Personnel as well as members of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, Parents-Teachers Association, and Alumni Federation officers also joined the motorcade from the Cañacao Campus of SSC-R de Cavite. The Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, His Excellency Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista was the Main Celebrant, assisted by the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Rev. Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR and the President of SSC-R de Cavite, Rev. Fr. Cristituto A. Palomar, OAR. Theologians from the Recoletos Formation Center in Quezon City participated as Altar Servers. Diocesan as well as Recollect priests also participated in the Mass.

Prior to the Eucharistic celebration, Rev. Fr. Emilio Edgardo A. Quilatan, OAR gave a brief history of the Recollect presence in Cavite province, followed by the official declaration by the Prior Provincial of the opening of the Quadricentenary celebration. With the objective of propagating and deepening a devotion to saintly Recollects who have worked in Cavite province, the occasion was highlighted with a donation of a 5-foot wooden image of St. Ezekiel Moreno by the Agustinian Recollects to the Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar. The Vicar General of the Imus Cathedral, Most Rev. Msgr. George A. Morales received the image on behalf of the Parish. The end of the Quadricentenary commemoration will be celebrated on August 19, 2017 at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bacoor City. Viva San Ezekiel Moreno!