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ARTFI Lectures Echoed
August 8, 2019
Public Affairs and International relations Office

Participants in the Augustinian Recollect Teacher Formation Institute (ARTFI) Lecture Series shared what they’d learned with the members of the SSC-R de Cavite community in echo seminars at the Multipurpose Hall, July 19 and 26.

Day 1 activities began with a prayer led by Mr. Jersie Manesca, Campus Ministry Office Staff. This was followed by Opening Remarks delivered by Rev. Fr. Joseph Dexter D. Palagtiosa, OAR, Vice President for Formation, Mission, and Identity.

In his speech, Fr. Palagtiosa thanked the laypeople of the community for their support. “We are all workers in the vineyard of God,” Fr. Palagtiosa said, adding that everyone  in the institution is called to serve.

He explained the significance of the lecture series, stating that it was “imperative to know more about the Order.” He added that it was important to know “not just the basics but the principles for which it stands” for the purpose of evangelizing the youth in the School.

The master of ceremonies Ms. Jolina L. Tosco, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Academics, Research and Innovation, then introduced the first speaker in the series, namely Mrs. Maria Soledad T. Tubay, Director for Institutional Advancement, Parent and Alumni Relations.

Mrs. Tubay shared about one employee in the University of the Cordilleras, site of recent benchmarking activities. Of said employee, she said, “Parang tatay niya ‘yung founder.” She thus established that participants should likewise know the founders of SSC-R de Cavite better, and proceeded to give a talk on the history of the Order of Augustinian Recollects.

She said, “Mahirap malaman kung saan tayo pupunta kung ‘di natin alam kung saan tayo nanggaling.” She stressed that by their words and deeds, the Augustinian Recollect forebears helped mold the community’s identity. “Lahat sila ay may contribution kung ano tayo ngayon,” Mrs.Tubay said.

Director Tubay then proceeded to give a comprehensive talk about the origins of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects: from highlights of the life of its spiritual founder Saint Augustine of Hippo to Augustinian Recollection to other milestones in its long history. Her talk then focused on the Order of Saint Augustine, which was modelled after the community in Jerusalem that she said “lived together as brothers, sharing everything they had.”  

In the timeline, Mrs. Tubay highlighted how the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine had a mendicant way of life, that they were mobile with no attachment to anything of value, lived from work and alms, and wanted to experience the problems of the poor. She said that the governance of the order were at local, provincial, and general levels.

Mrs. Tubay then enumerated some notable Augustinian Saints of the Middle Ages.

She then asked the body to contemplate about the practicality of community life as proposed by Saint Augustine and how the spirit of the Rule can be applied in daily life, particularly as members of SSC-R de Cavite.

Mrs. Tubay also mentioned the reform movements in the Order’s history in Spain. She added that the reformists bound themselves to perfect common life, owned nothing, and returned to a more intense union with God.

She concluded her talk by stating that the Augustinian Recollects were granted full juridical authority by Pope Pius X in 1912 when he entered them in the register for religious orders.

An open forum followed. Mrs. Evangeline Rabino-Enriquez of the Senior High School faculty, said, “Sa makabagong panahon lahat po tayo ay tinatawagang maging santo.” She elaborated that the way to becoming a saint is to do everything with love.

Rev. Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR, School President, then addressed questions from the body including among others the history and composition of the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno.

Afterwards, Rev. Fr. Rommel L. Rubia, OAR, Vice President for Administration, spoke about the lengthy process of formation in his closing remarks. He said that with seminarians, the goal of formation is to make them an actual image and likeness of Christ. “Everytime you see a priest, maaalala n’yo si Kristo,” he explained.

Fr. Rubia added that the SSC-R de Cavite community should be more knowledgable of their identity as Recollects and Sebastinians as they likewise undergo formation to be like Saint Augustine who was always searching and learning.

The first part of the lecture series ended with a closing prayer led by Mrs. Ana D. Manzano, Acting Director of the Center for the Recoletos Community Outreach Program (CRe-COP). The singing of the SSC-R de Cavite Hymn followed.

ARTFI echo series continues

The second part of the ARTFI Lecture Series took place on July 26 and opened with an overview of the Rule of Saint Augustine delivered by Ms. Melissa B. Puti, Dean of the Office of Student Affairs.

Ms. Puti said that the Rule, which is the oldest monastic rule in the Western church, expresses Augustine’s ideas about living in an intentional religious community. She divided her talk according to its eight chapters, which are:

The Basis and End of Communal Life. This included the concept of “common property” where everything in the community is shared and equitably divided.

Prayer. This focused on sincere prayer at appointed times and during one’s free time.

Frugality and Mortification. This refers to subduing the flesh by fasting and abstinence as far as one’s health allows. Ms. Puti explained that food could also mean “needs in terms of material things.”

The Custody of Chastity and Fraternal Correction. Ms. Puti talked about “mutual vigilance,” which meant brothers mutually safeguarded each other’s purity. She stated that, according to the Rule, an indiscreet act should be immediately corrected. This should be done with love for the person, but hatred for the sin.

The Use of Necessary Things and Their Care. The speaker said this chapter talked about there being one place for things under the care of one or two persons.

A Prompt Request for Pardon and Offenses Generously Forgiven. Ms. Puti said that according to Saint Augustine we should not let anger develop into hatred. The Rule states that the one offended should pardon without hesitation.

The Manner of Ruling and Governing. According to the speaker, the Rule states that we should obey our superior as a father, and that every superior serves his brothers with charity.

Observance of the Rule. Ms. Puti explained that the Rule states that one must observe all these precepts with love, as “lovers of spiritual beauty... not as a slave under the law, but as a free man under grace.”

Ms. Puti enjoined faculty and employees to “serve as role models to the younger generation.”

The final presentation was given by Mrs. Maria Soledad T. Tubay. She discussed about Augustinian Values and Pedagogy, stating that all members of the school comprise a community that educates. “All of us are teachers,” she said.

Mrs. Ana D. Manzano led the Closing Prayer.