This afternoon, July 8, 2025, the Province gathered at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu for the Mission-Sending Mass of four Augustinian friars: Rev. Fr. James Jr. O. Alibong, OSA, missionary to South Korea; Rev. Fr. Christian E. Funtanares, OSA, and Rev. Fr. Jan Mark A. Placido, OSA, missionaries to Japan; and Rev. Fr. Anacleto M. Morales III, OSA, missionary to the Czech Republic. The Mass was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA, Prior Provincial, and concelebrated by Fr. Danilo Carido, OSA, Vice Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Donato Ellezar, OSA, Chairman of the Provincial Commission on Mission and Parish Ministry, and other Augustinian friars.
In his homily, Fr. Batayola shared that he had just arrived from Indonesia after attending the Vicarial Chapter, where he had the chance to listen to the stories of communities and mission stations, and visited a parish in Sukadana, traveling for hours to a mission station where he witnessed the joy of the friars living their missionary life. Connecting this to the day’s Gospel on the commissioning of the disciples, he emphasized the call to go forth, baptize, and teach as the core of evangelization, reminding that evangelization is not simply spreading religious knowledge but facilitating a genuine encounter with Christ.
Fr. Batayola explained why the Province is sending missionaries to these countries. In Japan, with only a few Augustinian priests managing four communities engaged in parish and school ministries, the presence of more friars will strengthen the Order’s mission. In South Korea, the emerging need to care for Filipino migrants and to collaborate in ministry with the Korean Augustinians calls for missionary presence. In the Czech Republic, the Order has been invited to establish its presence, and the Province has responded to this call with generosity. He reminded the missionaries that while challenges will come, the promise of Jesus remains: “I am with you always.” Presenting them with mission crosses, he shared that preaching the crucified Christ will transform them into His image.
Drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIV, himself a missionary in Peru, Fr. Batayola encouraged the friars to be laborers in the mission field with joy, carrying the “Evangelii Gaudium” into their assignments. He assured them of the prayers of the Province and reminded everyone present that each of us has a mission territory, beginning in our own homes, and we are all called to live out the mission with faith and love.
After the Mass, dinner was served at the Aula Magna of the Pilgrim Center, where messages of encouragement and gratitude were shared with the missionaries.
Fr. Ellezar reminded them that mission will bring them to new cultures, new food, and entirely new experiences. He emphasized that it is not only in Europe or America that the Province sends missionaries, but also within Asia, responding to the needs of the Church wherever it is called. He encouraged them to make their mission fulfilling, to embrace the demands it will bring, and to always remain rooted in prayer.
Fr. Matthew Choi, the Delegation Superior of Korea, expressed his gratitude to the Cebu Province for continually sending missionaries to Korea, while Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., OSA, himself a missionary in Korea, served as his translator. They thanked the Province for its generosity in mission and specifically expressed appreciation to Fr. Alibong for generously responding to the invitation to serve in Korea.
Speaking on behalf of the missionaries, Fr. Funtanares, shared how, during their formation in Tagaytay, they were prepared for the realities of mission life and the challenges of becoming one with the people they will serve. He humbly asked everyone to continue praying for them as they embark on their mission assignments.
Fr. Batayola, closed the evening by reminding everyone that the Order of St. Augustine was born as a response to the needs of the Church and that mission is at the heart of Augustinian life. He affirmed the role of the Philippines in evangelizing Asia and the world, emphasizing that mission succeeds only in communion, and thus collaboration with other circumscriptions in the Order is essential. He noted that sending missionaries is not easy and requires careful preparation, encouraging the friars to equip themselves well for the journey ahead while enjoying the brotherhood and friendship that comes with mission life.
Reflecting on the Jubilee of Hope’s logo, Fr. Batayola likened the image of four figures around the cross to the four missionaries being sent forth, reminding them that the cross will always be the anchor of their journey. He emphasized that Augustinian spirituality is not confined within our rooms or communities but is meant to reach the world, urging the missionaries to maintain their connection with the Province as they live out their mission.
The dinner concluded with the singing of the Hymn of the Province.
As these four friars depart for their mission assignments, let us continue to accompany them with our prayers, that they may joyfully share Christ’s love to the people they will serve, living the Augustinian mission with hearts on fire for the Gospel.
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