Seminario San Agustin Intramuros Manila

27/04/2026

AUGUSTINIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES | 461 AÑOS DE MISSION-461 AÑOS DE AMOR

THE FINDING OF THE IMAGE OF SEÑOR SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU | 28th April, 1565

, we mark the 461st anniversary of the finding (Kaplag) of the image of Santo Niño. The image was found in one of the houses of the natives by soldier Juan Camus. It was turned over to the Augustinians for safekeeping after it was found.

The finding of the image was the source of inspiration and a divine message from God to the Spaniards led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and of the first five Augustinian friars to start evangelizing the Philippine islands starting at Cebu.

¡Viva Pit Señor! ¡Viva Pit Señor!

27/04/2026

THE AUGUSTINIANS AND THE KAPLAG | In a sworn statement of Miguel López de Legazpi, notarized on May 16, 1565, the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was entrusted to the care of the Augustinian friars of the Order of Saint Augustine.

The first five Augustinian missionaries who arrived in the Philippines, accompanying Legazpi’s expedition, were Andrés de Urdaneta, Diego de Herrera, Martín de Rada, Pedro de Gamboa, and Andrés de Aguirre.

From that time on, Legazpi ordered the construction of a chapel on the very site where the image was found—now known as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. He also decreed that the discovery be commemorated annually.

In the same year, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (now the Cofradía del Santo Niño de Cebu) was formally established, with Legazpi as its first Hermano Mayor.

The discovery of the image of the Balaang Bata in 1565 marked the beginning of the widespread propagation of devotion to the Santo Niño throughout the Philippines.

As time sailed through waves of uncertainty, devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu has remained steadfast and enduring, for God used Juan de Camus to reveal His abiding love for His people. Through this providential discovery, may every Catholic faithful continue to seek and find God—just as He first found us in 1565.

Viva Pit Senyor!

THE AUGUSTINIANS AND THE KAPLAG | In a sworn statement of Miguel López de Legazpi, notarized on May 16, 1565, the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was entrusted to the care of the Augustinian friars of the Order of Saint Augustine.

The first five Augustinian missionaries who arrived in the Philippines, accompanying Legazpi’s expedition, were Andrés de Urdaneta, Diego de Herrera, Martín de Rada, Pedro de Gamboa, and Andrés de Aguirre.

From that time on, Legazpi ordered the construction of a chapel on the very site where the image was found—now known as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. He also decreed that the discovery be commemorated annually.

In the same year, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (now the Cofradía del Santo Niño de Cebu) was formally established, with Legazpi as its first Hermano Mayor.

The discovery of the image of the Balaang Bata in 1565 marked the beginning of the widespread propagation of devotion to the Santo Niño throughout the Philippines.

As time sailed through waves of uncertainty, devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu has remained steadfast and enduring, for God used Juan de Camus to reveal His abiding love for His people. Through this providential discovery, may every Catholic faithful continue to seek and find God—just as He first found us in 1565.

Viva Pit Senyor!

26/04/2026

On the eve of the Feast of the Conversion of our Holy Father Augustine, the community gathered in grace and fraternity for the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Seminario San Agustin – Professorium Chapel.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fray Peter Casiño, OSA, together with the Augustinian friars, in a spirit of thanksgiving and recollection. As we commemorated the conversion of our Holy Father, we were reminded that the journey to God is always a movement of the heart—restless until it rests in Him.

In the Augustinian spirit, this sacred gathering became not only a remembrance of Augustine’s turning point, but also an invitation for each one of us to continual conversion: to seek the Truth, to love in humility, and to live in communion.

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

May this celebration renew in us the grace to turn ever more deeply toward God, in community and in love.

25/04/2026

FEAST OF OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL

The Augustinian family throughout the world celebrates the feast of one of its Marian advocations, Mary, Mother of Good Counsel. This devotion traces back to the early 15th century when legend mentions that during the feast of Saint Mark in Genazzano, a cloud descended upon the church and left there a painting of the Mother and Child. The devotion to Mary under this title has gained much devotion that even numerous popes were noted to have devotion to this title of the Virgin in the Augustinian Church of Genazzano.

We honor Mary with the title of Mother of Good Counsel because she is the mother of Christ, "wonderful Counselor" (Is 9, 5). She lived guided by the Spirit of Counsel, and welcomed the eternal Counsel to recapitulate all things in Christ (cf. Eph. 1, 10). When we honor the Virgin of Good Counsel, we are seeking the gift of counsel from God, so that we will know all that is pleasing to God, and that we will be guided through all situations of life.

Madre del Buen Consejo, ruega por nosotros!

23/04/2026

FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF OUR HOLY FATHER AUGUSTINE | The Augustinian Order celebrates today the Feast of the Conversion of Our Holy Father Augustine of Hippo.

Some time in the year 386, Augustine and his friend Alypius were spending time in Milan. While outdoors, Augustine heard the voice of a child singing a song, the words of which were, "Pick it up and read it. Pick it up and read it." He thought at first that the song was related to some kind of children's game, but could not remember ever having heard such a song before.

Then, realizing that this song might be a command from God to open and read the Scriptures, he located a Bible, picked it up, opened it and read the first passage he saw. It was from the Letter of Paul to the Romans. Augustine read:

Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. --Romans 13: 13-14

Reading this scripture, Augustine felt as if his heart were flooded with light. He turned totally from his life of sin. He was Baptized by Saint Ambrose during the Easter Vigil April 24, 387. His friend Alypius and his son Adeodatus were Baptized at the same time.

22/04/2026

BLESSED HELEN OF UDINE , AUGUSTINIAN SECULAR | Helen was an Augustinian Tertiary who was renowned for her love and devotion to the Passion of Our Lord and to the Eucharist. Before becoming part of the Augustinian family, she was married to Antonio Cavalcanti, official of the city of Udine, and had six children. At his husband's death, she became an Augustinian Tertiary where she dedicated herself to devotions, charity, and prayer. She died on April 23. 1458 after a long and painful illness. Helen was made blessed by Pope Pius IX on 1848.

Beata Elene Valentini de Udine, ruega por nosotros!

21/04/2026

22 APRIL | The Seminario San Agustin Community wishes FRAY PETER CASIÑO, OSA, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Fray Peter, OSA is the Prior of Seminario San Agustin Community in Intramuros.

May God bless you this day with more love than your heart can hold, as well as more strength and perseverance in your ministries!

21/04/2026

21/04/2026

🇬🇧 - Augustinians to Celebrate Launch of Pope Leo XIV’s New Book Ahead of Election Anniversary

On Wednesday, May 6, just two days prior to the anniversary of his election as Pope, the Order of Saint Augustine and the Vatican Publishing House (LEV) will officially present the unpublished book of Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., now Pope Leo XIV.

The book published in Italian: Liberi Sotto la Grazia: Alla scuola di Sant’Agostino di fronte alle Sfide della Storia by Robert Francis Prevost (Free Under Grace: At the School of Saint Augustine in the Face of the Challenges of History by Robert Francis Prevost), offers the public an unprecedented look at the spiritual journey of the current Pontiff during his tenure as Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001-2013.

🇮🇹 - Gli Agostiniani celebrano il lancio del nuovo libro di Papa Leone XIV in vista dell’anniversario della sua elezione

Mercoledì 6 maggio, a soli due giorni dall’anniversario della sua elezione a Papa, l’Ordine di Sant’Agostino e la Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV) presenteranno ufficialmente il libro inedito di Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., oggi Papa Leone XIV.

Il volume, pubblicato in italiano con il titolo Liberi sotto la grazia: Alla scuola di Sant’Agostino di fronte alle sfide della storia di Robert Francis Prevost (Free Under Grace: At the School of Saint Augustine in the Face of the Challenges of History), offre al pubblico uno sguardo senza precedenti sul cammino spirituale dell’attuale Pontefice durante il suo servizio come Priore Generale dell’Ordine Agostiniano dal 2001 al 2013.

🇪🇸 - Los agustinos celebran el lanzamiento del nuevo libro del Papa León XIV con motivo del aniversario de su elección

El miércoles 6 de mayo, apenas dos días antes del aniversario de su elección como Papa, la Orden de San Agustín y la Librería Editrice Vaticana (LEV) presentarán oficialmente el libro inédito de Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., hoy Papa León XIV.

El libro, publicado en italiano con el título Liberi sotto la grazia: Alla scuola di Sant’Agostino di fronte alle sfide della storia de Robert Francis Prevost (Free Under Grace: At the School of Saint Augustine in the Face of the Challenges of History), ofrece al público una visión sin precedentes del camino espiritual del actual Pontífice durante su servicio como Prior General de la Orden de San Agustín entre 2001 y 2013.

18/04/2026

SPIRITUALITY FORUM | A meaningful day of reflection marked the Spirituality Forum 2026 held at Seminario San Agustin Professorium Chapel on April 18, 2026.

Fr. Winston Cabading, OP opened his talk on the Spiritual Battle in Consecrated Life with Epistle to the Ephesians 6:11–18, reminding all to “put on the whole armor of God.” He emphasized that the Christian life is a real spiritual struggle against both visible and invisible forces and that through Christ, the Church continues this battle with faith, prayer, and perseverance.

Fr. Radni Caparas, OAR reflected on Marian Devotion in Augustinian Spirituality, presenting Mary as queen, model, mother, and intercessor. As taught by Augustine of Hippo, Mary is the image of the Church virgin and queen mother who first conceived Christ in faith, inviting us to carry Christ in our hearts and lives.

With the presence of the Simple Professed Friars, Postulants, Fray Peter Casiño, and Fray Norman Abello, OSA, the forum deepened the call to live a consecrated life rooted in Christ and guided by Mary.

14/04/2026

RECOLETOS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY | LAKBAY-ARAL 2026: "Rooted in Christ, Journeying in Peace and Communion"

The Lakbay-Aral of the Recoletos School of Theology began on the evening of April 9, 2026, as the community set out together for a journey of learning, prayer, and fraternity. Arriving in Ilocos the next morning, the day was grounded in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the historic Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad-St. Augustine Parish, entrusting the whole pilgrimage to God.

The group was warmly welcomed at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, where a simple breakfast was shared—an early sign of the communion that marked the journey. Visits to Vigan, including Hidden Garden, Baluarte Zoo, and Calle Crisologo, offered glimpses of a heritage deeply shaped by faith and culture.

In Ilocos Norte, the pilgrims continued to visit Augustinian-built churches and sacred places, encountering the enduring devotion of the people. The day ended at Polaris Beach Resort with a simple meal and moments of fraternity.

On the second day, the Eucharist once again became the heart of the journey, gathering all experiences in thanksgiving. The group visited more Augusyinain-built churches, the Burgos Wind Farm, and later had the grace of meeting Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, Bishop of Laoag—an encounter that reminded everyone of their call to serve the Church.

The Augustinian Friars also meet their brothers assigned in Vintar, Ilocos during the Fraternal Dinner in the Bishop's Residence.

This Lakbay-Aral was made even more meaningful by the presence of one of our simply professed friars studying in RST, journeying with the community in formation, prayer, and mission.

A journey not only of places, but of hearts—truly rooted in Christ, and growing in peace and communion.



📷 Recoletos School of Theology Fray Shernan

05/04/2026

LUCERNARIUM AND SOLEMN VESPERS | In the radiant joy of the Resurrection, the community of Seminario San Agustin Intramuros gathered for the celebration of the Easter Lucernarium and Solemn Vespers, a beautiful expression of the Church’s evening prayer in the light of the Risen Christ.

Presided over by Fray Norman Abello, OSA, the sacred rites began with the Lucernarium, the solemn lighting of the Paschal Candle symbolizing Christ as the Light who conquers darkness and death.

The celebration continued with Solemn Vespers, where psalms of praise and thanksgiving resounded, lifting hearts in gratitude for the gift of salvation. In true Augustinian spirit, the community was united in one mind and one heart intent upon God.

May the light of the Risen Lord continue to shine in our lives, guiding us in faith, hope, and love.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!