SOME CHUIRCHES IN THE NEW DIOCESE OF PROSPERIDAD

         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. 

THE CREATION OF THE NEW DIOCESE OF PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR

         Last January 28, 2025 the new diocese of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur was officially established and its first bishop in the person of Most Rev. Ruben Labajo, the former Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu was installed.  It was a grand celebration for the new diocese and province. There were 46 bishops who graced the occasion, including the Apostolic Nuncio, Charles John Brown and the Cardinal of Manila, His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula. Hundreds of priests not only from the new diocese but also from those coming from nearby dioceses came. The officials of the province were also present. Abp. Cabantan, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro where the new diocese belongs as a suffragan led the installation rites. 

        The Diocese of Prosperidad which covers the whole province of Agusan del Sur is composed of 13 municipalities and one component city. It has 26 parishes and four mission stations.  Formerly the province belonged to the Diocese of Butuan.  It was still in January 2004 when the bishops voted to divide the Diocese of Butuan and create a new diocese comprising the province of Agusan del Sur. But nothing happened to it. When the new bishop of Butuan, Bp. Cosme Almedilla assumed his present seat, he again pursued the creation of the new diocese. It was again voted by the bishops assembly in July 2023. Finally,  last October 15, 2024 the creation of the new Diocese of Prosperidad was officially announced by the Holy See with the nomination of its first bishop, the Most Rev. Ruben Labajo.  

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHEDRAL (F-1994)
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

The Cathedra of the new diocese. 

The concelebrating bishops waiting for the start of the mass just outside the Cathedral. 

The Apostolic Nuncio obliging to selfies before the processional march began. 

Bp. Ruben Labajo, the new bishop of Prosperidad. 

The new bishop's house. The property is said to be on lease to the diocese for two years by the owner who now resides in the U.S.