Passion Sunday, “a bittersweet celebration”

Today, with the celebration of the Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, we begin the Holy Week. And this Sunday, according to Pope Francis, is “a bittersweet celebration” because it is both joyful and sorrowful at the same time. Joyful, because we celebrate the Lord’s entrance to Jerusalem as King, amid the rejoicing crowd (who cried…

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Tatak Rekoleto dance moves shine out in Panaad Festival

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Just recently, the dance group that represented this city in an islandwide folk dance competition outshone others. The “tatak Rekoleto” (“Recollect brand”) dance moves shone out, too. Last April 10, the contingent of folk dancers representing Talisay City brought home the championship trophy, prevailing over other groups from different cities…

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Augustinian Priors General received in audience by Pope Francis

Vatican City, ROME – The Holy Father received in audience the superiors of the Augustinians, Augustinian Recollects, and Discalced Augustinians to deal with, among other topics, the process of declaring St. Thomas of Villanova as Doctor of the Church. The three Priors General – of the Orders of St. Augustine (OSA), Augustinian Recollects (OAR), and…

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THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM – PALM SUNDAY (C)

On Palm Sunday, the Church celebrates Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. There he would be arrested, imprisoned, falsely accused, condemned, scourged, crowned with thorns, burdened with the cross, pushed around, nailed to the cross, would die and be buried. It was also there that he would triumph by his resurrection. Jerusalem…

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San Vicente Ferrer’s devotees told: “Be the face of Jesus Christ”

APO ISLAND, Dauin, Negros Oriental – Aside from being a marine sanctuary, this island with around a thousand inhabitants is placed under the patronage of St. Vincent Ferrer whose feast day falls on April 5. For this year’s fiesta, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Dumaguete, Rev. Fr. Carmelito Limbaga, Jr., was the main celebrant…

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Bishop Navarra presides mass to celebrate St. Vincent Ferrer’s 600th death anniversary

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Most Rev. Vicente Navarra, D.D., bishop-emeritus of Bacolod, presided over the holy mass commemorating the 600th death anniversary of St. Vincent Ferrer on April 5, 2019. The novena masses and fiesta celebrations hinged on the theme, “San Vicente: Model of a beloved, gifted and empowered Filipino Youth.” Bishop Navarra, who…

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Lectio Divina: Palm Sunday (C)

Lk. 22:14-71; 23:1-56 INVOKING THE HOLY SPIRIT We invoke the Holy Spirit using the words of St. Augustine.           Come, Holy Spirit, by whom every devout soul, who believes in Christ, is sanctified to become a citizen of the City of God! (en. Ps. 45:8) Come, Holy Spirit, grant that we receive the motions of God, put in…

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Recoletos Presence in Rome: its history, present, future

Via Sistina, ROME – For several decades, the current Collegio Internazionale Sant’Ildefonso e San Tommaso da Villanueva was the General Curia of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. At the moment it is the residence of the community of Augustinian Recollect religious who pursue further studies in Rome. This year 2019, it celebrates its 400th year.…

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