Four Novices embark on a New Four-fold Spiritual Journey through Simple Profession of Vows

ANTIPOLO—Four novices made their Simple Profession of Vows, embarking on a new fourfold spiritual journey. The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Fr. Bernard C. Amparado, OAR, the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. The newly-simply professed brothers, namely: Fray Norman Salolog, OAR, from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; Fray Jayson Solmayor, OAR, from Banga, South Cotabato; Fray Kline Kysser Asentista, OAR, from Bantayan, Cebu, and Fray Joshua Miguel Salmon, OAR, from Bacolod City — publicly professed the evangelical vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience on July 5, 2025.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Bernard Amparado, OAR, posited the main theme of becoming a radical follower of Jesus. However, in reality, he lamented the decline of vocations and the diminution of applicants and recruitment into the seminary, especially during the post-pandemic period. Unflinchingly, he said, “There is that change of mindset of young generations, especially right after the pandemic, they become more practical and less religious.” He succinctly added, “They prefer, many of them, wanted to find a stable job and to earn money to help their family.” 

Citing from the Gospel passage according to St. Mark, the story of a rich young man, Fray Amparado sternly believed that the experience of the rich young man could also be true for many of us. Perhaps, we had the difficulty of following Jesus, for worldly treasures bind us.

According to him, “Wealth has the power to entangle our hearts and to pull them down. Because wealth can create a sense of false security and independence, when this happens, God may not be important and relevant to us anymore.”

Furthermore, he reminded the newly-simply professed that “In the profession of the evangelical counsels, we are reminded that the Kingdom of God operates on principles different from those of the world. Hence, religious life is not an easy path, but a surer way to eternal life.”

The event was attended by members of the different Augustinian Recollect communities, immediate families, friends, benefactors, and sponsors.

The simple profession of vows signifies the brothers’ formal acceptance into the Order of Augustinian Recollects and their readiness to embrace the religious life, to continue an intimate relationship with the Interior Master, and their journey towards religious-priestly formation.

Before this event, Rev. Fr. Rommel Rubia, OAR, the former Novice Master, was installed as the new local prior of the community of St. Ezekiel Moreno Novitiate-Recoletos, Antipolo City. It was presided over by the Prior Provincial, Rev. Fr. Bernard Amparado, OAR, and witnessed by the SeMoNoRe community.