14 Augustinian Recollect Friars Renew Their Simple Vows

Recoletos Formation Center — Fr. Kenneth Joseph Onda, OAR, Vicar of the Province of St.
Ezekiel Moreno, congratulated 14 simply professed friars as they renewed their Evangelical
Vows before the RFC community.

“Bakit andito pa rin kayo? Why have you chosen to stay in religious life?” he asked during the
opening of his homily, addressing the friars with a reflective and heartfelt challenge.

Fr. Kenneth highlighted several key points in his message: the importance of renewing one’s
commitment to follow Christ in poverty, chastity, and obedience; the call to imitate Christ’s life;
the recognition that religious life is not a burden but a gift from God; and the invitation to live a
life of service rooted in the way of Christ. He reminded the brothers that true fidelity to this
calling makes one authentically an Augustinian Recollect religious.

The 14 friars who renewed their simple vows are:
Fray Helfrid Palmis, OAR;
Fray Rey Jay Quevedo, OAR;
Fray Neil Robert Alilain, OAR;
Fray Roldan Benemeritio, OAR;
Fray James Francis Bago, OAR;
Fray Pham Duc Quoc, OAR;
Fray Francis Cabalida, OAR;
Fray Leoñardo Queaño II, OAR;
Fray Reymar Macadagdag, OAR;
Fray June Clark Solas, OAR;
Fray Jesse Meer Alipes, OAR;
Fray Christian Peralta, OAR;
Fray Nestor Lloren, Jr., OAR; and
Fray Justine Luis Zafra, OAR.

Let us continue to pray for more vocations and for the perseverance of all formands in the
Province, that the call to serve the Holy Mother Church may grow ever stronger in their hearts.
Laus Deo!