When Miguel López de Legazpi arrived on the island of Cebu 1565, he was accompanied by the Augustinian Andrés de Urdaneta, the chief sailor of the expedition, and four other Augustinians.

In 1571, the expedition reached Manila, where the Augustinians built the main house of their order in the Philippines.

By 1578, the Order was joined by the Franciscans, and then by the Jesuits (1581), the Dominicans (1587) and by the Recollects (1606).

In 1595, the entire island was divided amongst the missionaries for evangelisation. The Franciscans were assigned Camarines and Bicol. To the Jesuits was given Samar and Leyte. Cagayan, Pangasinan, parts of Bataan, Isabela, Babuyanes and Batanes were in the charge of the Dominicans, while the Recollects went to Zambales, Palawan, Calamianes, and parts of Mindanao. Of course, being the first to arrive in the islands, the Augustinians were given the prime choice of the Tagalog provinces, Pampanga, Ilocos, Cebu and Panay.

In connection with being a former Augustinian parish – for parishioners to be more aware and appreciative of this heritage – and to promote the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation, within the Santa Rita de Cascia Parish will be held the procession of Augustinian Saints on Sunday, 13 November, at 7:30 p.m., after the 5:30 p.m. Mass.

The 13th of November is the birthday of St. Augustine and is also traditionally observed by the Augustinian Order as the day to celebrate all the saints of their order, not only those who are officially considered as Saints and Blesseds by the Catholic Church but also the Augustinians who have lived holy lives on earth and are now in heaven. Through the procession, parishioners are invited to know more about the particular saints and be inspired by their lives.

The images that will be in the procession are as follows:

1.   St. Rita of Cascia
2.   St. Augustine of Hippo
3.   St. Monica
4.   St. John Stone
5.   St. Clare of Montefalco
6.   St. Magdalene of Nagasaki
7.   St. Nicholas of Tolentine
8.   St. William the Hermit
9.   St. Ezequiel Moreno
10.   St. Alypius of Thagaste
11.   St. John of Sahagún
12.   St. Thomas of Villanueva
13.   St. Alfonso de Orozco
14.   Nuestra Señora de Consolacion y Correa

This is being organised by the Cofradia ning Cintas.

Go to the link for more information on the Augustinians in the Philippines.