His Excellency Most Rev. Charles John Brown, DD, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, recently attended the Negros cluster’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the OAR Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. Brown was warmly welcomed by Prior Provincial Rev. Fr. Bernard Amparado, OAR, and OAR Provincial Councilor Fr. Nonie Morillo, OAR, at the Silay Airport.at UNO-R, present to extend their greetings were Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD, Local Prior Fr. Amadeo Lucero, OAR, UNO-R President Fr. Joel Alve, OAR, and UNO-R VP for Academics and Research Fr. Romeo Ben Potencio, Jr., OAR, along with other Religious and Lay administrators, faculty, staff, members of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, Recoletos Augustinian Youth (RAY), and students.
Before the Mass at the Oratory, the Apostolic Nuncio blessed the community during the Liturgical Reception, which included prayers honoring St. Joseph, Patron of the Order, and Nuestra Seῆora de la Salud. Rev. Fr. Joel Alve, OAR, enthroned the first-class relic of St. Ezekiel Moreno for veneration. The Thanksgiving Mass, led by the Nuncio alongside Bishop Buzon and Fr. Amparado, OAR, was joined by OAR Priests from various communities across Negros Island.
In his homily, the Nuncio emphasized the significance of the Province’s silver jubilee, commending the Augustinian Recollects not only for the twenty-five years of the Province but the more than four centuries of evangelization in the Philippines. Reflecting on the Gospel, Most Rev. Brown urged attendees to emulate the love exemplified by St. Joseph, St. Augustine, and St. Ezekiel Moreno, underscoring the importance of extending and expanding love in service to Christ.
Fr. Hector Gonzales, OAR, expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio and Bishop Buzon for their presence, as well as to the organizing committees led by Fr. Potencio. As tokens of appreciation, statues of St. Ezekiel Moreno were presented to the Nuncio and Bishop.
The event served as a momentous occasion to reflect on the rich history and ongoing mission of the Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines, inspiring attendees to continue spreading the love of Christ throughout the world.”