25/08/2026
𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 “𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀” 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The Augustinian communities in Cebu held an audience with the Local Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Most Rev. Alberto S. Uy, DD, on August 25, 2026, at the Filipiniana Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence.
The gathering began with the presentation of the Augustinian communities by the Prior Provincial, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA. He introduced the friars assigned to the six Augustinian communities in Cebu: the Basilica del Santo Niño Community, Santo Niño Pilgrim Center–Provincialate Community, Santo Niño de Cebu Parish–Mohon Community, Augustinian Novitiate and Prayer House Community, Santo Niño Spirituality Center Community, and Ecce Homo–San Fernando Community.
In his message, Archbishop Uy expressed his joy over the visit, noting that it was the first time the Augustinians had come together as communities to meet him since his installation as Archbishop of Cebu.
The Archbishop also fondly recalled his visits to Rome, where he had stayed at a house of the Augustinians. In jest, he shared that his Jesuit friends were disappointed because he often stayed with them in the past. Now that the Pope is an Augustinian, however, he remarked that he would stay in an Augustinian community whenever he visits Rome.
At the heart of his message, Archbishop Uy affirmed the significant role of the Augustinians in the life and mission of the local Church.
“I consider you an important group of co-workers in Cebu,” the Archbishop told the friars.
He particularly emphasized the Augustinians’ ministry at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, describing it as both a tremendous privilege and a tremendous responsibility. Millions of devotees and pilgrims come to the Basilica, listen to its preachers, and encounter the Santo Niño through the pastoral ministry of the Augustinians. This reality, he said, raises an essential pastoral question: “Where do we lead these millions?”
Archbishop Uy then invited the Augustinian communities to journey with the Archdiocese towards its centennial celebration in 2034, with the aspiration of becoming “a Church fully alive.” As part of this journey, he presented three areas in which the Augustinians could help advance the shared mission of the Church in Cebu.
First, he asked the friars to help the Archdiocese become a listening Church. He explained that the particular prayer and aspiration of the Archdiocese for 2026 is to listen more attentively—first to God and then to one another. This ministry of listening has become especially important because many people carry invisible burdens, including struggles related to mental health.
The Archbishop encouraged the establishment of “listening spaces” within Augustinian communities, similar to those found at the Vatican, as well as offices where people could receive counseling and compassionate accompaniment.
Second, he called on the Augustinians to help heal Cebu—not only its wounded people but also its wounded environment. He highlighted initiatives such as the campaign against single-use plastics and fireworks, as well as the promotion of pocket forests. Care for creation, he stressed, should flow naturally from devotion to the Santo Niño: “Because I love the Santo Niño, I will also care for the world He created.”
Third, Archbishop Uy urged the friars to lead popular devotion toward mission. Devotion must move believers beyond religious expressions and inspire them to ask, “Señor, what do you want me to do?” He reminded the gathering that one cannot sincerely shout “Pit Señor!” while engaging in corruption, bribery, or other practices contrary to the Gospel.
The audience highlighted the shared mission of the Archdiocese and the Augustinian communities: to seek out restless hearts, listen to their stories, accompany them along the way, and lead them to Christ.
