On March 15, 2025, at 8:00 PM, lay affiliates and members of lay organizations from all Augustinian communities and residences of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines gathered together for an online talk via Zoom.

It began with an opening prayer led by Thomas John Castañares which was immediately followed by the acknowledgement of the participants, and the welcome remarks of Very Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA, the Prior Provincial.

The online talk was hosted by the Province’s Commission on Augustinian Affiliates and Laity, entitled “The Role of the Laity in the Augustinian Community.” For this talk, the Commission invited Rev. Fr. Richie Mercado, OSA, from the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Chicago, Illinois. Fr. Mercado currently serves as an official at the Dicastery for Bishops, where he contributes his expertise in Canon Law and Administration. Additionally, he is a member of the Commission for Augustinian Lay Movements of the Order of Saint Augustine.

In his presentation, Fr. Mercado emphasized that the most important role of the laity in an Augustinian community is to “walk with us (religious) and help us fulfill our role in this large Augustinian family for the service of the greater Church.” He urged the participants to embrace their individual roles and to discern, both individually and with their respective communities, how they can contribute to building the Kingdom of God here on earth and bringing the Augustinian identity to the world.

A series of online talks by the Commission will be held quarterly, with topics focused on the role and identity of the laity and affiliates.