Father General Meets Recoletos de Inagawan Community

PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN – Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez, OAR, the Prior General of the Order visited the community of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, in Brgy. Inagawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, this Monday, October 16, 2023. He was joined by Fr. Luciano Audicio, OAR, the General Secretary, and Fr. Regino Bangcaya, OAR, as the interpreter and guide, with Fray Teodulo Hayahay, OAR.

Fr. General was received by the local community, Fr. Paulino Dacanay, OAR, Fr. Roy Baluarte, OAR, and Fr. James Erold Gatinao, OAR, together with the SARF and the RAY members.

Following a short tour around the church and convent vicinities, the community gathered in the Pastoral Hall to commune with Fr. Miguel, while Fr. Bangcaya interpreted for the people.

As he conversed with the community, Fr. General shared that this visit was his opportunity to be reconnected to the origins of the Order, especially the origins of the Augustinian Recollect missionaries in Palawan. He recounted that he became “emotional” as he traversed the same path where the forefathers once spread the Good News. Those missionaries “were living and working [in Palawan] for years, some spent their youth here and some even given up their lives as martyrs.”

Additionally, the Prior General was delighted that the Order returned to the island province. Fr. Rex noted that the Recoletos left Palawan in December 1987 and returned first in Inagawan, Puerto Princesa, and Casian Island, Taytay in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Following the request of the youth to give them advice, the Father General emphasized authenticity, the testimony expressed in the unity of words and actions, to bring lasting impact to the society as members of the Recollect Augustinian Youth.

The Father General and his entourage also graced the pilgrim site of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Balon Pari, and drew water from the miraculous well. The Father General and his company are expected to visit the Augustinian Recollect communities throughout the province until October 20, 2023.

This year marks the 400th Anniversary of Christianity in the island province of Palawan, which was pioneered by the Augustinian Recollect missionaries in 1523.