Bishop Bacani: Recollects as a missionary community of saints

Mira-Nila Homes, QUEZON CITY—The two-day gathering for the 20^th founding anniversary of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in honor of St. Augustine. Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, DD, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches, presided over the Closing Mass.

“You are a missionary community of saints,” said Bishop Ted in his homily. This was his perspective of the Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines, whose patronage is placed under St. Ezekiel Moreno and followers of the Rule and spirituality of St. Augustine of Hippo. Bishop Bacani further elaborated his perspective by re-contextualizing the famous Augustinian quote, saying: “You made us to serve You, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.”

Like St. Augustine, the yearnings of the Augustinian Recollects should be the search for God. “It is God who should be sought in the community of brethren… in our ministry to the people… God first, God last, and God in everything,” said Bishop Bacani.

He even gave emphasis on the centrality of God in the life of the Augustinian Recollects by reminding them about the Commentary on John by St. Augustine: “God did not say ‘you can do little’ but He said ‘you cannot do anything without Me.’” The good bishop urged the Recollects to continue their life and ministry “united with the Lord…God first, God last, God in everything.”

To be able to realize the spirit of St. Augustine, the Augustinian Recollect lived in a community which for St. Augustine is the “realization of God’s plan for man.” Bishop Ted then posed the missionary life of St. Ezekiel Moreno, who is not only a saint but an “indefatigable missionary… who went to all his [religious and missionary] assignments with the zeal that was coming from God, with a zeal that was unstoppable… that even death gave him an opportunity to give intercession for all the people.” He was a missionary who brought the Christ whom he experienced and whom he loves together with his brethren.

Bishop Ted, at the end of his homily, acknowledge the growth of vocation and membership of the Augustinian Recollect. He was also able to ordain some of the Recollect priests and deacons in the past.

To conclude his homily, he prayed thus: “As you prepare for your 25^th  anniversary, may the Lord make you increase in holiness, in community life, and in missionary zeal. May St. Augustine and St. Ezekiel Moreno inspire you towards that ideal of being a missionary community of saints. Amen.”

In thanking the Lord for the blessings received during the twenty years of existence of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, ninety-seven Augustinian Recollect priests concelebrated with the bishop, thirteen deacons, four religious brothers, twenty-four simply professed friars, and two novices were present during the Holy Mass.

Religious from the Congregation of Augustinian Recollect Sisters and members of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity joined the Recollect Fathers and Brothers in this joyful celebration. The beautiful ensemble of liturgical music was sung by the Chorus Angelorum, one of the choirs of Our Lady of Consolation Parish of which majority of them are members of the Recollect Augustinian Youth.

A special gratitude was also extended to Bishop Ted, as he is familiarly known to many. He and the Recollects were not strangers to each other. He has been associated with some of the Recollects such as, Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, Fray Emeterio Buñao, and Fray Emilio Larlar, Jr., to name some, during their formation years at San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. When the Recollects opened a school of theology in Quezon City, Bishop Ted was also one of its theology professors.

Indeed, the gathering of Recollect fathers, brothers, sisters and lay collaborators was a celebration of a family gathered together to thank the Almighty God for the existence of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

Viva San Ezequiel Moreno! Viva Provincia de San Ezequiel Moreno!