LAST September 7, 2019, two books about St. Ezekiel Moreno was launched at the President’s Hall of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos. These books tell us of the missionary activities of the saint in the Philippines. The books are entitled, “Saint Ezekiel Moreno, Augustinian Recollect icon of Holiness in the Mission” edited by Prof. Emmanuel Luis Romanillos and “Saint Ezekiel Moreno, Studies on his Missionary Activity in the Philippines” by Prof. Dennis Madrigal, Romanillos, Fray Angel Martinez Cuesta, and Fray Pablo Panedas.
In the Book, “St. Ezekiel Moreno, studies on his missionary activity”, one could read the missionary tracks of the saint in the Philippines and a glimpse of his works at Casanare.
Dr. Madrigal starts with St. Ezekiel Moreno’s life and his missionary activities in Cavite; Intramuros, Mindoro; Palawan; Talisay; Las Pinas; Imus; Monteagudo, Spain; Bogota and Pasto, Colombia; and Spain.
One notable story is his short stint in Talisay, Negros Occidental, where he received from Fray Fernando Cuenca the hydrotherapeutic treatment for his anemia caused by malaria infection in his blood. According to Fr. Cristituto Palomar, OAR, VP-Religious Affairs, UNO-R, perhaps medical practitioners must learn the art of hydrotherapy from Fray Cuenca.
Dr. Madrigal is the President and founder of the Philippine Association of Catholic Religious Educators (PACRE) and is the Associate Dean of the Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School. He also authored and edited “Handurawan, A Visita Iglesia in Negros Occidental”.
Meanwhile, the book of Prof. Romanillos tells in detail the missionary works of the saint in the Philippines. He translated the works of OAR historian Fray Angel Cuesta and Fray Eugenio Ayape. One could read the missionary works of the saint in Puerto Princesa, Inagawan, and Aborlan in Palawan. The authors described the ordeal of the saint in Palawan.
The trials and challenges of the mission territory of the Augustinian recollects did not bother the missionaries but it strengthened their love for God and their evangelization activities. Like today, the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries in many mission stations around the world have given them the flame to make their hearts ablaze. In the same manner the life of St. Ezekiel as bishop has also inspired many who are in school and parish apostolates to keep the missionary fire ablaze in their hearts. They are not in the territories but they continue to evangelize urban communities.
The best thing about St. Ezekiel Moreno is that he, like Pope St. John Paul II, has walked on the soil of Negros Occidental.
One of the best parts of the book that would answer the question, “did Bishop Ezekiel sport a long beard all the time.” The answer was made by Fray Ayape and translated by Prof. Romanillos. But to get this answer, the book is available for orders at UNO-Recoletos. One would be entertained with the discoveries in the life of the saint in the books.
St. Ezekiel Moreno, Patron saint of cancer survivors, pray for us.