UNO-R celebrates Silver Anniversary of Simple Profession of Fray Besana and Fray Alipin

Bacolod City, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL–Fray Don H. Besana, OAR, UNO-R President, and Fray Jose Alden B. Alipin, OAR, UNO-R Vice President for Academics, celebrated the Silver Anniversary of their Simple Profession of Vows to the Religious Life as members of the Order of Augustinian Recollects.

A Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Oratory of St. Nicholas of Tolentino.  Fray Alden led the concelebrated Mass with Fray Don, Fray William Villaflor, OAR;  Fray Cristituto Palomar, OAR; Fray Ronel Gealon, OAR; Fray Amadeo Lucero, OAR;  Fray Romeo Ben Potencio, OAR; and Fray Persiuz Joseph Decena, OAR. 

The homily was shared by Fray Besana.  He pointed out that their hearts are full of gratitude to the faithfulness of God to them and all of us. He recalled that 25 years ago, he, Fray Alden, and 4 other seminarians made their entrance to the Augustinian Recollect family at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Novitiate-Recoletos in Antipolo City, Rizal. 

He shared his story of vocation which started at home where he together with his parents developed devotions to the family Rosary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, First Friday, and Sunday Masses. As he journeyed through his vocation, God purified his intentions.  On behalf of his companions, he thanked his professors, Fray Villaflor, Fray Palomar, and Fray Joaquin Jamelo, OAR, for their guidance and companionship.

Fray Don shared that the poor, chaste and obedient Christ is the essence of the celebration.  The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that they professed 25 years ago, have aided them in their journey. The Vow of poverty has strengthened their trust in the Divine Providence. The Vow of Chastity has made them available to the Church and the community. The Vow of Obedience has taught them to surrender to the will of God thru total obedience to the superiors. He ended his sharing, by not asking the  “Why?” of the will of God but by saying “Why not do the will of God?”

Fray Don and Fray Alden renewed their religious vows before the Local Prior, Fray William Villaflor, OAR, and the community. 

Fray Alden gave the words of thanks. “I am in love. I am very much in love with love thanks to God. Because of love, I learned how to listen to others before myself. I learned how to be open to the possibility that anything can happen given the fact that, we, living under one roof, come from different backgrounds and experiences. Because of love, I learned the values essential for community living. Because of Love, I realized that empathy leaves a lasting mark in the hearts of those who experience it. It is love that pushes us to remain pure in spirit, pure in mind, and prudent in our words and actions. Thank you for all your prayers, love, and support. You are simply amazing.”, he said.

Joining the two as Silver Jubilarians are Fray James Bumangabang, OAR; Fray Arnel Diaz, OAR; Fray  Rommel Rubia, OAR and Fray Edgar Tubio, OAR.