Prior General Graces Recoletos de Valencia with His Presence

VALENCIA, Negros Oriental – The community of Recoletos de Valencia rolled out the red carpet for the presence of Rev. Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez OAR, Prior General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. Accompanying him were his secretary, Rev. Fr. Luciano Audisio, OAR, and his translator, Fr. Romeo Ben Potencio, Jr., OAR. Upon their arrival, the Prior General and esteemed guests were ushered to the covered court of Colegio de San Pedro -Recoletos where they be amazed over the performance of Rambones Festival Dance 2023 by selected junior and senior high students.

The main delegates of the cluster assembly comprised Recollect Friars from the local communities of Valencia, Caidiocan, Tambo, and Apo Island. Included also in the audience were Hermana General, Nestoria P. Bad-an, Sister Provincial, Rose Marie S. Aldeon, representatives of the SARF, RAY, FORSOAR, parish personnel, school faculty, and staff.

In his message, the Prior General expressed his gratitude for the space the community has given him for his fraternal visit, an opportunity to have a dialogue, to personally meet the members of local communities, and to listen to their expectations, aspirations, and dreams. He challenged attendees to discover the gospel values in the simplicity of life. In his very words, the Prior General relayed:  Despite our difference of age, culture, and language, we attain the testimony to common life and unity. We cannot do away with it because it is the essence of our identity. In the second half of the cluster assembly, the Prior General invited the audience for an open forum, to which they engaged actively by asking questions, giving their comments, and raising their concerns.

Gathered in the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, the congregation offered their thanksgiving to the Lord through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that was said by the local prior of Recoletos de Valencia, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Fornilos, OAR. After the final blessing, the Prior General and esteemed guests made themselves available for a group picture and separate shots with each organization. Lunch was served, enriched by socialization and conversation at tables.