Prior Provincial receives Simple Profession of Vows of 4 friars

ANTIPOLO CITY—July 3, 2021, the special day when the whole Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno of the Order of Augustinian Recollects is grateful to God for the four courageous friars who made their Simple Profession of the Evangelical Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The event took place at the chapel of St. Ezekiel Moreno Novitiate –Recoletos in Antipolo City at 10:00 in the morning. The newly professed are Fray John Arnold Lozada, OAR, from Zamboanga del Sur, Fray Roldan Benemerito, OAR, from Cebu, Fray Lloyd Terania, OAR, from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, and Fray James Francis Bago, OAR, from Banga, South Cotabato.

The said occasion coincides with the celebration of the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. Fray Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR, the Prior Provincial, presided over the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and received their profession. Augustinian Recollect religious from various communities, namely, Provincial Curia, SEMoNoRe, Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary, Recoletos Formation Center, Augustinian Recollect Sisters, and religious from other Congregations also attended the celebration. Some members of Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, Recollect Augustinian Youth–Antipolo Council, seminarians from CaReS–Baguio, and the candidates’ families and friends were present. The celebration was also live-streamed on Facebook page of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno for those who were unable to join the celebration physically.

Fray Selma started his homily with the greetings from the Prior General of the Order, Fray Miguel Miró Miró, OAR, sent through an online messaging platform. Then he proceeded by taking St. Thomas as a model of profession and an example of service as he challenged everyone to comply with the appeal of Missio ad Gentes for this year’s celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

In his homily, the Prior Provincial emphasized the humility that this profession brings. He said, “The profession would not make you more saintly than any other Christians.” He also reminded everyone, especially the newly professed brothers, to mortify and be detached from many things that usually attract and distract their attention from the Lord. He reminded the candidates and even the professed brothers to make their profession relevant to the context that we have, especially this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. He challenged everyone to be faithful and committed to the profession they made and asked the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Thomas, the Apostle. 

Fray Roldan Benemerito, OAR, delivered the message of gratitude on behalf of his brothers. He thanked everyone who, in one way or another, helped them during their formation. He ended his message with gratitude to the Triune God for the gift of vocation.

(photos credits to Fray Sixto Bitangjol, OAR)