The Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu- Philippines marks its 40th anniversary on January 15, 2024 since its inauguration in 1984.
Augustinian friars from the different local communities of the Province partake in the celebration together with the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Most Rev. Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton, OSA and Assistant General, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Banks, OSA.
These include the immediate superiors of the Order of Saint Augustine in Asia and the Pacific (OSAAP) from the Province of Australasia, Vicariate of Indonesia, Vicariate of India, Delegation of South Korea, and Delegation of Japan.
In this significant milestone, the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Most Rev. Fr. Alejandro, OSA encouraged his fellow brothers to continue unity and fraternity through charity.
“Continue to [be] there for the community, the fraternity through the charity. The fraternity, that is, we need [to] be together [and be] united. We need to build this fraternity, this community, because we need it,” Fr. General said in an interview.
He presided over the mass at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica del Minore Sto. Niño de Cebu before the devotees, visitors, and fellow Augustinian friars, while, Assistant General, Very Rev. Fr. Tony gave the homily thanking the grace of the Sto. Nino with the Augustinians’ success.
“Father General, [I], and the General Curia can only state our gratitude, admiration, and our love,” said Very Rev. Fr. Tony in his homily.
“But we all know that work comes only through the auspices of our God. The one and only Sto. Nino who transforms us all,” he added.
The Assistant General shared in his homily that the devotion to Señor Santo Niño is becoming a worldwide celebration that transforms not only the people, but also the Augustinian Order.
Meanwhile, the Augustinian friars also offered a traditional Sinulog dance as a way of thanksgiving for the gift of vocation, the gift of devotion, the gift of mission.
In the last four decades, the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu- Philippines continues to uphold their mission of evangelization through unity in charity.
Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu- Philippines at 40: Profoundly Sharing Lives in Community for the Service of the Church./Denise Mae Codis and Kristin de Dios, BMSN Media Centre Student Volunteers
