Augustinians to turn over Guadalupe church, monastery to Manila archdiocese

The Augustinians will turn over the administration, management of the Nuestra Señora de Gracia church and the Monasterio de Guadalupe Community to the Archdiocese of Manila.

The move was announced by the congregation through a post on the Order of Saint Augustine Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu - Philippines website.

"After more than 50 years of being recalled to administer the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Gracia in Makati City, the Augustinians will now turn it over to the Archdiocese of Manila, who will continue the pastoral care in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City," the congregation posted.

"The turnover will happen on Sunday, 16 June 2024, and it will be highlighted by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and a symbolic turnover rites."

They added that Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton, OSA also formally approved the dissolution of the community effective on the same day.

The Monasterio de Guadalupe Community, a domus formata or religious house of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) and a seminary for late vocations will also be turned over to the archdiocese.

The pastoral care of the church, which was built in the 1600s, is located east of Makati’s Guadalupe Viejo is bounded on the east by EDSA, with Bernardino street on the west and Jose P. Rizal street on the south alongside Pasig river, had been the responsibility of the Augustinians since their return in 1970. 

Based on the website, the Augustinians founded the monastery and the church in 1601 until the Philippine Revolution.

"Upon their return, they reconstructed the church as a parish and rebuilt the monastery after nearly 75 years since they left," they said.

The present parish priest, Fr. Aimark Asor, OSA will formally hand over the administration of the church by August 1, 2024 to Rev. Fr. Joselito R. Martin. Rev. Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia has been appointed as the Parochial Vicar. — BAP, GMA Integrated News