Earliest Philippine-born Augustinians

Earliest Philippine-born Augustinians

 

Augustinians began living in Intramuros in 1571. The monastery there was designated an Augustinian novitiate on 30th March 1575 (and still serves in that capacity once again).

 

In 1576, the first person to complete his one-year novitiate there was Juan de Penalosa O.S.A. in 1576.

 

As had happened similar novitiates in Goa and in Mexico City, the early entrants were Europeans. In Manila, the first Filipino to make Augustinian vows was Martin Lacandula in 1590.

 

The Book of Augustinian Professions at the Monastery of San Agustin, Intramuros lists that after 1641 (unfortunately the first book is missing) 250 native Filipinos joined the Order of Saint Augustine.

 

For example, in 1641 there were 160 Spaniards and 38 Filipinos in the Order in the Philippines.

 

In the history of the Philippines Province, special mention needs to be made of a number of Philippine-born Augustinians, most particularly the botanist Ignacio Mercado O.S.A. and the historian, Anselmo de San Prospero O.S.A.

 

One of the earliest Filipinos in the Order of Saint Augustine was Brother Marcelo de San Agustin O.S.A., who died in 1697. He was a descendant of one of the original owners of the land upon which was built the Church of San Agustin in Intramuros.

 

Father Benito de Mena Salazar O.S.A. was a mestizo from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He evangelised the mountains of Ilocos Norte; he died in Bacarra in 1676.

 

Father Ignacio Mercado O.S.A., a mestizo (i.e., a person with one parent Spanish and the other Filipino) from Paranaque, Manila was a botanist. He propagated cocao in Bauan, Batangas, where he died in 1698.

 

 

The revolution of 1896 caused the Order of Saint Augustine its heaviest losses in the entire 19th century.

 

It swept away much of what the Order had previously done there.

 

In 1899, for instance, the Order of Saint Augustine was removed from 194 parishes and 100 mission stations, which were handed over to diocesan clergy.

 

About 240 members were deprived on their income from ministry (benefice), and 122 Augustinians were captives of the insurgents.