ACCEPTANCE: THE NEW NOVICES OF THE ORDER OF ST. AUGUSTINE

The Order of St. Augustine has four new friars coming from the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines.

 

The new friars of the Order were Fray Mark Anthony Ferrer Morales, Fray Cedric Errol Barroquillo Obdianela, Fray Ahkil Joseph, and Fray Ansal Albin.

 

They were accepted to the novitiate yesterday, 28 June 2015 in a rite administered by Rev. Fr. Peter Casiño OSA, Local Prior of the Vicariate of the Orient.

 

In his talk, Fr. Casiño stressed the meaning of the Augustinian habit.

 

There are three parts of the Augustinian habit, according to Fr. Casiño, the cowl, the habit and the cincture.

 

"The cowl represents the protection against malice in our minds and hearts," Fr. Casiño enthusiastically explained.

 

At the back part of the cowl he said, "There we see that the topmost part is broad while lower part is narrow. This reminds us, my dear brothers, that we should seek the things that which is of above rather than earthly things." He even added "We should desire less in terms of material needs."

 

The habit, as he would define, "forms a cross which represents the center of our life which is Jesus Christ."

 

"The cincture is made out of the hide of a dead animal which invites us to be dead in our sensitive nature and be more that which of a rational being." He further explained to the community.

 

After the solemn rites, the community gathered for a fraternal meal held at the Postulancy and Pre-Novitiate House.