During our flight to Butuan for the creation of the new Diocese of Prosperidad and the installation of its first bishop, I happened to meet Fr. Austin, the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat at San Beda University in Manila. He mentioned that he was also attending the installation, as he hails from a nearby town. When I expressed interest in visiting his hometown after the ceremony, he warmly offered to show me around and promptly shared his contact details.
Since my return flight to Manila was in the evening, I had ample time after the installation. I messaged Fr. Austin, asking if he could take me to his hometown of San Francisco. He immediately replied and arranged to pick me up at the sports complex in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, where we were billeted and had breakfast.
Our first stop was the newly built St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Patin-ay. From there, we proceeded to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in San Francisco, where we made a courtesy call at the Carmelite convent. To our surprise, we encountered Archbishop Palma and Bishop Alminaza, who were also visiting, as one of the Carmelite priests was Archbishop Palma’s nephew and had been ordained by him. We spent some time conversing before heading to the neighboring town of Rosario, which was also under the Carmelites’ care.
Upon arriving in Rosario, we found the church gates locked and were unable to enter, so we settled for taking photos from the outside. Shortly after, Fr. Austin received a call from his mother, asking if he could stop by before we left. We visited her briefly before heading to his brother’s restaurant in San Francisco, where a meal had been prepared for us.
As time was running short, we soon had to make our way back to Patin-ay to catch our ride to the airport, departing at four in the afternoon.
ST. VINCENT FERRER PARISH CHURCH
Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
The side door has become the main entrance as the front facade of the church is already next to a building.
The provincial offices of the province of Agusan del Sur are also found in Patin-ay, Prosperidad like this D.O. Plaza Memorial Sports complex.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS PARISH (F-1957)
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH (F-1994)
Rosario, Agusan del Sur
The gate to the church was locked so I was not able to get inside the church. So I had to content myself just looking at the church from the gate.
Abbot Austin Cadiz, OSB, the Abbot of the San Beda Monastery with his mother at their residence in San Francisco
We visited the restaurant of the brother of Abbot Austin in the town of San Francisco.
