Articles from the month of July!
Music – A Vocation to Listen and to Empty Oneself
A Reflection
Music, for me, is not merely notes. It is a path. A narrow path, yet one that opens into infinity. It is a vast interior space where the soul can speak, freely and gently – without many words.
To be given the gift of music is not just to receive a talent, but rather, a calling. A calling to slow down, to listen more attentively, and to empty oneself more deeply.
There are moments when I sit by the piano and try a familiar chord: C – E – G. They are called C major chord, bright and hopeful, like a spring morning. Each note holds its place, none intruding upon the other, and so together they resonate in harmony.
Yet this stability is never absolute. With a slight change – the G raised by a half step – the chord turns into C augmented: no longer pure brightness, but a restless longing, a sense of moving forward. And immediately it seeks its next destination: F – a new resting place, a fresh support after transition.
I realize: when one element changes, the whole is transformed. When one member of a community dares to step beyond their comfort zone and grow, the entire group – if it truly listens – is lifted as well.
But there are also other days. Days when the E – which brings joy to the C major – suddenly lowers itself, becoming subdued. It drops by a half step, and the chord turns into C minor: Cm – sorrowful, plaintive, yet authentic. It is the sadness that refuses to hide, the cry of someone weary, in pain, and in need of compassion.
I recall an old Vietnamese saying: “When one horse falls ill, the whole stable stops eating.” Our ancestors, it seems, understood the very law of harmony: one note of sorrow, and the whole song becomes heavy. One member weakened, and the whole community slows its pace in solidarity.
And within that stillness, music becomes a companion – not noisy, not showy – but quietly present. It teaches us: no joy endures unless it has passed through sorrow. And no community is genuine unless it embraces solidarity.
Saint Augustine himself shared this experience: “When I heard the hymns and psalms, the music flowed into my ears, and truth seeped into my heart. Devotion was kindled, tears streamed down, and I found consolation.” (Confessions IX, 6). For him, music in the liturgy was not mere embellishment, but a vessel of healing – touching the deepest core of the heart and lifting the soul to God. Elsewhere he confessed: “When the words of praise touched my heart, truth awoke within me.” (Confessions X, 33).
As a musician – especially within the liturgy – I am constantly reminded: Playing music is not just a skill. It is an art of humility, of knowing when to step back. Who is meant to shine? Not me. But the Word of God. The hymn itself – prayer woven from the marrow of the composer, and more profoundly, from the heart of the whole community.
When I accompany a hymn, I must “control” myself – not in order to dominate, but to restrain. Not too loud, not too showy, not forcing the singers to struggle against the instrument. I whisper to myself: let my playing know how to disappear. Let it support the voice without swallowing it. Let the chords become a staircase, upon which prayer may rise closer to God.
Grace is never given for display, but for service. Music is the same – if it stops at technical brilliance without leading into interior silence, it becomes an empty stage. God does not need elaborate harmonies to hear us. He desires a heart that trembles, that becomes still – so that it can uphold others in prayer.
Let us not render this gift useless.
Nor go beyond what the Lord desires.
The musician is not the center of the liturgy.
Not the spotlight.
The musician is the background – so that the Word may be proclaimed, and souls may be touched by the sacred.
And in that moment, we ourselves enter into prayer – through the silent work of our hands.
Music is a vocation.
A vocation to listen.
A vocation to self-emptying.
A vocation to lift others up.
And above all – a vocation to quietly say “yes” each time we place our hands on the keys, as if placing our very heart into the prayer that rises to God.
Music made by Nov. Viet
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation
After a month of settling in, the novices were honored by the presence of Rev. Fr. Harold Langahin, OSA, on the 24th of July, 2025. The purpose of his visit was to share words of wisdom and insight through a recollection centered on the theme, “Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).”
The recollection began with a beautiful prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit to dwell within the novices and bless the moment of reflection, so that it might be fruitful in grace and rich in transformation.
Fr. Harold emphasized the importance of the values highlighted by JPIC. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, JPIC is a Gospel-centered mission and lifestyle that promotes justice, works for peace, and cares for creation. Originating from Gaudium et Spes, the theme of the recollection encourages a response to the interconnectedness of social, economic, and ecological concerns in our time. It particularly focuses on the promotion of human dignity, solidarity with the poor, and environmental stewardship.
Fr. Harold underscored the importance of advocating for the needs of people, defending the rights and dignity of the human person, fostering reconciliation and nonviolence, and respecting and protecting our common home. These are the key pillars introduced during the recollection, serving as a call to action for Christians worldwide to remain vigilant and active in the face of trials and tribulations.
Fr. Harold also took time to elaborate on the values of justice, peace, and stewardship of creation, showcasing how the Church has admirably fulfilled its role as defenders of victims of injustice, friends to the poor, and caretakers of the world.
The recollection encouraged the novices to be active participants in the world, whether through their apostolates, outreach efforts, or simple acts of mercy. They were called to open their hearts to the world and act in accordance with what is right and just.
First Vows of Four Augustinian Novices
First Vows of Four Augustinian Novices
At the Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish in Mohon, Talisay City, last July 7, 2025, four young men officially embraced the Augustinian way of life by making their First Profession of Religious Vows.
The newly professed friars are Fray Reymark A. Carcedo, Fray John Rey P. Laureano, and Fray Earl John C. Mutia from the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu–Philippines, joined by Fray Jay Vee I. Ventura representing the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of Australasia.
A Graced Moment of Commitment
Speaking after the ceremony, Fray Carcedo described the day as a moment of blessing, calling his vocation a “gift” for which he is profoundly thankful.
The vows of the novices were formally received by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Batayola, OSA, Prior Provincial of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu–Philippines, who also presided at the Eucharistic celebration.
The Challenge of Following Christ
In his homily, Fr. Batayola urged the young friars to enter deeply into the meaning of their decision. He reminded them that discipleship in Christ always involves leaving everything behind and entrusting themselves fully to God’s Kingdom.
Drawing on the day’s Scriptures, he reflected on two images:
• The seal upon the heart, signifying that profession marks one permanently as Christ’s own.
• The Gospel assurance that those who accept poverty and mission for the sake of the Gospel gain not only spiritual privilege but also eternal reward.
Citing St. Augustine, he encouraged the novices to live without hesitation their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, together with the Augustinian vow of common life, which leads to the deeper joy of Gospel living.
Before the celebration ended, he also expressed gratitude to the parents of the friars, affirming that their generous offering to the Church will bear fruit in the joyful witness of their sons.
A Celebration of the Augustinian Family
The rite gathered the wider Augustinian family: friars and seminarians of the Province, relatives of the newly professed, a delegate from the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of Australasia, and the superior of the Delegation of St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Korea.
The celebration concluded in joy, with photos taken of the new friars alongside their families and fellow Augustinians.
Moving Forward in Hope
The journey of these young Augustinians has just begun. Let us accompany them with our prayers, that they may live faithfully the call to be “of one mind and one heart on the way to God.”