The Order of Augustinian Recollects or simply the Augustinians Recollects are a Roman Catholic monastic order of men and women. They are a reformist offshoot from the Augustinian hermit friars and follow the Augustinian Rule.
They were founded in 16th century Spain through the 5th Determination of the Chapter of Toledo , and their reform emphasized fidelity to the Rule of St. Augustine. The reformers placed special emphasis on community prayer and simplicity of life.
On 5 June 1621, the Recollection was raised to the level of a Religious Congregation, giving it the right to divide itself into provinces. The Recollects were formally recognized as an Order in the Catholic Church in 1912.
Global Recollect presence
The Recollects are present in 19 countries including in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, the United States, and Venezuela. As of 1997, the Recollects numbered 1,258 in 201 religious houses, distributed into eight provinces (regions) in four continents, but strongest in Spain, the Philippines and Colombia. The official languages of the Order are Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines
The OAR Missions
With their arrival on May 1609, the OAR became one of the most important groups in the history of the evangelisation of the Philippines. Many times, the areas given to this Order are the poorest islands in the archipelago. Oftentimes, the ones that are not desired by other orders because of distance from the mainland .
Being a contemplative order, it was not really their main goal to evangelise the country. Yet because of the great need of evangelisers, the OAR in the Philippines became more active than in the other parts of the world.
Their first house was built in Bagumbayan, outside the walls of Manila. Later, they also built a house within the walls which became their house for the next hundreds of years. It was only after the World War II that they were force to abandon the convent because it became virtually uninhabitable.
Since they were not planning to be active envangelisers in the beginning, most of their houses were just formation centres. Yet they were forced to open it to the public because the faithful still go and attend Sunday Services with them.
Their first parish was in Masinloc, Zambales. However, this was already transferred to the management of the diocese. Other parishes that were given to them early in their ministry in the Philippines were that of Mabalacat, Pampanga; , Tarlac; and Mamban.
They also had missions in Palawan, and Caraga (in the northeastern part of Mindanao). They laid the foundation for the capital of Palawan, which is known as Puerto Princesa City. Mindoro and Bohol became part of their missions as well.
The province that was heavily influenced by the order is the island of Negros (now divided into two, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental). Until the present times, the OAR still forms a significant segment of the clergy. Most of the towns in both provinces are also bearing names of towns similar to that of Spain, mainly the places where OAR missionaries came from.
Since the creation of the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno, the Philiipine Province was officially separated from the Province of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino. Now, the Philippine Province not only supervises the different missions in the Philippines but also in Sierra Leone and China.
The OAR Learning Institutions
Today, the Order administers two universities: the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (founded 1941) in Bacolod City and University of San Jose - Recoletos (founded 1947) in Cebu City. They also administer 3 colleges; San Sebastian College - Recoletos (founded 1941 in Manila); San Sebastian College - Recoletos (founded 1966 in Cavite City); Colegio de Santo Tomas-Recoletos founded in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; as well as two secondary schools namely Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino - Recoletos in Talisay City, Negros Occidental and San Pedro Academy in Caidiocan, Valencia, Negros Oriental.
Formation Houses and Seminaries includes the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Recoletos Formation House (High School) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Casiciaco Recoleos Seminary / Seminario Mayor - Recoletos de Baguio (Philosophy) in Baguio City; and the Recoletos Formation Center (Theology) in Mira-Nila Homes, Quezon City.
Augustinian Recollects in China
The Recollect foundation in Taiwan is based at Kaohsiung City. They are supported by Filipino Recollects from the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.
See also
External links
References
This article includes content derived from the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1914, which is in the public domain.
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