The Provincial General Assembly 2025 officially concluded today, February 28, 2025, marking the end of a series of productive and reflective sessions. Over the past few days, delegates from various communities and residences gathered to present comprehensive updates on their respective houses.

The assembly commenced with reports from the Provincial Offices, followed by updates from the Vicariate of Christus Totus Papua and the communities of Luzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Mindanao. Additionally, delegates shared updates on financial statuses, significant projects, events, and challenges faced by their respective communities. Each presentation was followed by an interactive session, allowing delegates to seek clarifications, ask questions, and provide constructive recommendations.

A highlight of the final day was a talk by Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, OSA, PhD titled “Spes Non Confundit: An Augustinian Reading and Its Challenges.” Owing to the rich tradition of the Church and the writings of St. Augustine and Pope Francis, Fr. Alvarez presented hope as a virtue given to man by grace, wherein man is directed towards what the soul ultimately longs for, that is, the desiring for good things, most especially happiness, salvation and union with God in heaven. Hope implies joy, perseverance and a sense of direction, wherein one is empowered to not remain complacent at things that can be improved upon, and to long for the things that eternally endure.

Fr. Alvarez also encouraged the friars to persevere as they move forward in the life, mission and future of the Province, the Order and the Church at large, as they meanwhile express their hope in works of piety, charity and reconciliation. As he exhorted the friars at the conclusion of his talk, “In whatever apostolate or line of service we are in, let us proclaim the person of Christ and find ways of strengthening people’s communion with him. In this way, our hope is strengthened as we deepen our relationship with him in whom we find our hope.”

During the closing session, collated recommendations and proposals from the assembly were presented to the delegates by the Provincial Secretary, Fr. Nestor Bandala, OSA. The Prior Provincial, Fr. Andrew Bayatola, OSA, also presented the activities to be expected throughout the year, especially the Provincial Visitation to the communities from the second half of 2025 and the upcoming Vicarial Chapter of the Vicariate of Christus Totus in Indonesia. He also exhorted the friars to be proactive in their involvement in the life of the diocese in which they are serving.

In his closing remarks, Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA reminded the friars to share in the one vision of the Order and the Province, to be open to the needs of the community and the apostolate, to be mindful of the care of the community and its welfare, and to act appropriately in response to the hope which is in the friars. The assembly formally ended with a prayer, the singing of the Hymn of the Province, and a hearty lunch.