After 50 years, Augustinians to handover Nuestra Señora De Gracia Parish to  Manila Archdiocese

The Augustinians will hand over the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Gracia in Makati City to the Archdiocese of Manila, which will take up pastoral care in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City, Philippines, after being called back to oversee it for more than 50 years.

A symbolic turnover rite and a celebration of the Holy Eucharist will mark the transition on June 16, 2024.

The archdiocese will also receive the Monasterio de Guadalupe Community, a domus formata, or religious community, of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), along with the parish and a seminary for late vocations.

Father Alejandro Moral Anton, OSA, the previous general of the Order of Saint Augustine, officially sanctioned the community's dissolution, which took effect that same day.

Following the changeover, the Monasterio de Guadalupe Community and the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish saw a significant transformation in their organizational framework and functioning.

The Augustinians left the monastery and the Church in ruins as a result of earthquakes and conflicts before the friars returned to Makati in 1970, and they eventually sold the property to the archdiocese.

The Augustinians established the church and monastery in 1601 and remained there until the Philippine Revolution.

Nearly 75 years had passed since their absence when they restored the monastery and the church as a parish upon their return.

Father Joselito R. Martin will take over as parish priest, and Father Jose Francisco C. Syquia will serve as parochial vicar. Father Aimark Asor, OSA, the present and final Augustinian parish priest of Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish, will formally turn over the administration.

According to Jose Cardinal Advincula, the Archbishop of the Manila Archdiocese, the next parish priest will officially take over on August 1, 2024. Until then, the transition will continue.