The Augustinian Values (STIFF-C)

 Solidarity and Justice: “Do you give bread to the poor? It would be better if nobody would feel
hungry, and thus you would not give somebody something to eat.” (Ep. Lo. 8, 5)

 Truth: “The voice of truth does not keep silent, the lips do not move, but it heals to the heart.”
(St. Augustine, De Vera Rel. 39, 72)

 Interiority: “Do not scatter outside. Enter into yourself because truth dwells in the interior
man.” (St. Augustine, De Vera Rel. 39, 72)

 Freedom: “True freedom is living not as slaves under the law, but as free persons under grace. ”
(St. Augustine, Rule 8, 72)

 Friendship: “To love and to be loved is the most important thing for me.” (St. Augustine,
Confessions 3, 1)

 Community: “Charity… is understood in this way, that it places the common good first before
one's own and not one’s own before the common good.” (St. Augustine, Rule 5, 30)

Philosophy

UNO-R is an Augustinian Recollect Center of Learning which makes knowledge (SCIENTIA) a structure
of wisdom that leads one to the exercise of love (CARITAS).

Our Vision

We are a Catholic University committed to the integral formation of the human person with passion
for excellence and service to the Church and society.

Our Mission

We are an Augustinian Recollect University that educates the mind and heart by providing the
climate, the structure, and the means to develop the vocation, knowledge, skills, talents, and attitude
of the community as permeated by the Gospel values for the service of humanity, love and praise to
the One God.
Seal : The UNO-R seal highlights the Heart with the flame and arrow – typical of the Order of the
Augustinian Recollect. The symbols challenge every UNO-Rian to be like Father St. Augustine to go
back to the heart and listen to the word of God and to find refuge in the teachings of the Mother Church.

Heart: The Heart represents love, especially the love of God for man.

Arrow: The Arrow symbolizes the word of God that hits us right in the heart.

The Flame symbolizes the Bible/Scriptures and the strict adherence to the authority and the teachings of
the Catholic Church.
The Star is the Star of Tolentino. It symbolizes St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the Patron Saint of the
University.
The Eagle symbolizes the boldness of the spirit of every UNO-Rian to “soar up” and follow his dream.  It
represents the theological teachings of St. Augustine, pointing to the superiority and relevance of his ideas
over all others.
BLUE symbolizes accountability where each UNO-Rian is trained to be accountable for his actions as
well as for the environment.

GOLD symbolizes the opportunities offered to every UNO-Rian for the total development of his being.
Sugarcanes represent the Negros sugar industry.

Purple sugarcanes symbolize the original sugarcanes, the “Negros Purple”, propagated by Father
Fernando Cuenca, the promoter of the Sugar Industry in Negros.  Because of his invention of the
hydraulic sugarcane press, he gained this title.

Green sugarcanes symbolize the sugar industry of Negros Occidental, which traces back its origin to Fr.
Fernando Cuenca
All aspects of the University – moral, religious, structures, organizations, teachings and management
styles, and pedagogical principles draw inspiration from St. Augustine’s theme CARITAS ET
SCIENTIA.
 AUGUSTINIAN / RECOLLECT SAINTS

I. ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO, Priest

There are, for many of us, people who have served as models and
inspiration in our own lives and, at times, in the choices we make.
The friar, Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, has been for Augustinians
throughout most of our history, such a model, illustrating the ideals
we strive after in our religious lives and ministry. The saints, after
all, have no need of our praise. We, however, have need of their
example, encouragement and intercession.

Nicholas is the first member of the Order to have been canonized,

and for much of the Order's history served as the model - par excellence - of the perfect
integration of a life of contemplation with that of active ministry among God's people. He
was born in 1245 in Sant'Angelo in Pontano, Italy, and joined the Order there shortly after
the Grand Union. The early years of his life as a friar were devoted to preaching in various
houses of his province, but his last thirty years were spent in Tolentino, where he was
engaged principally as confessor, benefactor of the poor and diligent minister to the sick.
Nicholas was a man filled with compassion and charity toward his brothers in the
monastery, great hospitality to visitors and generous attention to all in need. At the same
time his life of prayer and recollection, of penance and fidelity to the common life won
the admiration of all. His devotion to the faithful departed and his prayers for their
salvation earned him the title Patron of the Souls in Purgatory. Nicholas died on
September 10, 1305, and his body is venerated in his Basilica in Tolentino. He was
canonized by Eugene IV in 1446. 

Nicholas holds a special place on our calendar and in our history, not only because he
was the first member of the Order to be canonized, but because he exemplifies well the
balance between two essential elements of Christian - and Augustinian - life: love of God
and love of neighbor; prayer and good works; and for friars, a life of contemplation
combined with a life of generous service in ministry.

II. ST. EZEKIEL MORENO, Bishop

An Augustinian friar who labored for many years in the Philippines

and in Colombia, South America, as a religious, a priest and later as
bishop. During the latter part of his life, he suffered many trials due
to civil unrest, the persecution of the Church and the affliction of
cancer. Through all these difficulties he remained a good shepherd
to his people and a patient, faithful disciple of the Lord.
Ezekiel was born in Alfaro, Spain, on April 9, 1848. He joined the Recollect Congregation of
the Order of Saint Augustine in Monteagudo (Navarra) in 1864, and professed vows on
September 22, 1865. He was sent to the Philippines where was ordained in 1871 and
where he labored for 15 years. He then returned to Spain to serve as prior in Monteagudo
for three years, after which he gave all his energy to various forms of ministry in
Colombia, South America, until shortly before his death. He was a leader in the
restoration of the Recollect Province of La Candelaria in Colombia, Vicar Apostolic of
Casanare, and in 1899 became bishop of Pasto. His life as bishop was not easy due to the
horrors of a cruel civil war, a period of rising anticlericalism, and persecution of the
Church. Nevertheless, through his simple spirit of openness and rigorous defense of the
rights of the Church, he showed himself a faithful pastor whose concern was the well-
being of the Church entrusted to his care. Struck by cancer he returned to Spain at the
insistence of his priests in order to receive treatment, and died there at Monteagudo on
August 19, 1906, at the age of 58. He was beatified in 1975 and canonized in the
Dominican Republic by John Paul II in 1992 at the close of the 5th Century Celebration of
the Evangelization of Latin America. Throughout his life and still at the time of his death,
the Recollects were members of the Order with profession made to the Prior General.  

"Saint Ezekiel Moreno, by his life and evangelizing work, is a model for pastors,
especially those of Latin America, who, under the guidance of
the Holy Spirit wish to respond with new zeal, new means and
a new expression to the great challenges which confront the
Church of Latin America" (John Paul II).

III. ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA, Bishop

Saint Thomas of Villanova, one of the great Spanish saints of

the 16th Century, known as the Father of the Poor. Like Saint Augustine, he was called to
serve the Church as bishop, much against his will, but carried out this service with great
fidelity and zeal, bringing about a significant renewal in his Archdiocese first by the
example of his own life, as well as by his wise and effective decisions. During a society and
a Church surrounded by wealth and privilege, Thomas lived always as a poor and humble
servant of God and of his people.

Thomas Garcia Martinez was born about 1486 in Fuenllana, Spain, and was raised in
Villanueva de los Infantes, with which town his name is forever linked. He studied at the
University of Alcalá and later at Salamanca, where he entered the Order and was
professed on November 25, 1517. On December 24, 1518, he was ordained priest. He then
taught theology in Salamanca and was entrusted with the duties of prior of the friary
there and later at others as well. He served also at various times as Prior Provincial and
Visitator. In 1544 Charles V nominated him to the See of Valencia. Though he tried to
decline, his provincial ordered him to accept. On October 10, 1544, Pope Paul III made the
appointment. He was consecrated at Valladolid where he was then prior. The See of
Valencia was ranked as first class because of its size and resources.   However, it was not in
good condition. For the whole previous century there had been no resident bishop.
Thomas undertook a widespread reform, beginning with visitation within weeks of his
arrival. He drew up statutes, founded the first seminary, helped young women to find
employment rather than fall into disrepute, and saved many orphans from poverty.
Personally, however, he sought to live always as a simple friar, preferring to wear his
religious habit and giving generously to the poor. By his preaching he made a great
impression and drew many to religious life, including the future Augustinians, Alonso de
Orozco, and Juan de Muñatones, who was to become bishop of Sergobe. The sermons
which Thomas left number more than 400 and have run some 19 editions. Thomas died on
September 8 and was buried in our friary of Our Lady of Help in Valencia as he had
desired. Later his remains were moved to both the cathedrals of Valencia and Salamanca.
He was beatified on October 7, 1618, by Paul V and canonized on
November 1, 1658, by Alexander VII. 

Thomas was thoroughly Augustinian in his preferential choice of

life, his spirituality, his preaching, teaching, and in his ministry,
especially as a bishop. He demonstrated the power of reform and
renewal from within by his own example, becoming symbol of
hope during a seemingly hopeless situation. He resembles
Augustine in his learning, in his preaching, and his inclination
toward the contemplative life, while at the same time responding
generously to the needs of others.

IV. ST. MAGDALENE OF NAGASAKI, Virgin and Martyr

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Saint Magdalene
followed the example of Jesus by accepting physical suffering to strengthen the spiritual
resolve of her fellow Christians. She is a convincing example of a young person totally
devoted to the Gospel and the service of others, whose love for God and neighbor knew no
limit.

Magdalene was born in 1611 near Nagasaki, Japan, the daughter of devout Christian
parents. While she was still young her mother, father, and siblings were martyred for the
faith. In 1624 she became acquainted with two Augustinians, members of the Recollect
Congregation, Francis of Jesus, and Vincent of Saint Anthony, and was attracted by their
deep spirituality. She became an Augustinian tertiary, teaching catechism to the young,
seeking alms for the poor, encouraging her people in times of persecution. When these
two friars were martyred, she placed herself under the spiritual guidance of two other
Augustinians who eventually also received the crown of martyrdom. In 1629 she sought
refuge in the hills of Nagasaki, sharing the sufferings of her fellow Christians, baptizing the
young and visiting the sick. Because many Christians were renouncing their faith in the
face of torture, she decided to encourage them through her own
acceptance of persecution. In September 1634, dressed in the habit of
a tertiary, she turned herself in to the anti-Christian civil authorities.
In October of that same year, she was subjected to the torture of the
pit for 13 days. On the last day the pit was filled with water, and she
was drowned. Her body was burned, and her ashes were dispersed to
prevent the Christians from having any relics of her. Magdalene was
beatified in 1981 and canonized by John Paul II on October 18, 1987. 

The story of the Augustinian martyrs of Japan is a wonderful

illustration not only of Christian resolve in the face of trial, but of
the unity and universality of the Order. Laboring in this country were
friars from various nations and from several branches of the Order who, together with
many dedicated lay persons, found themselves more closely united in mind and heart for
a common purpose and a common witness.

V. ST. RITA OF CASCIA, Religious

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the most well-known saints of our Order and one of
the most popular of the Church. This attractiveness is due in part to Saint Rita's experience
of many challenges in life, met always with great confidence in God and exemplary
courage. She thus offers a valid example to people who share her various states of life as
spouse, parent, widow and consecrated religious. She reminds us of all that nothing is
impossible to God.

Rita Lotti was born in 1381 in the little village of Roccaporena, Italy, the only child of a
devout and humble Christian couple. She was given in marriage at a young age to Paolo
Mancini and together they raised two sons. When Paolo was murdered as the result of a
long-standing family rivalry, Rita was moved to forgiveness because of her strong Christian
convictions, but her sons, teenagers by now, were determined to avenge their father's
death. Her words were unable to change their hearts, but her prayers to God prevented
them from exacting revenge. Both boys died of natural causes, leaving Rita without a
family, but not without hope. After several years and various requests, she succeeded in
gaining admittance to the convent of the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia where she lived the
remaining forty years of her life in prayer and simple works of charity. At the age of 61,
while at prayer on Good Friday before an image of Jesus crowned with thorns, she
received the stigmata in the form of a single wound in her forehead. This remained until
her death at 76 years of age on May 22, 1457. Rita of Cascia was canonized on May 24,
1900, by Leo XIII who proclaimed her 'The Precious Pearl of Umbria.' Her body is
venerated in her basilica in Cascia.
Rita is venerated today as The Peacemaker, not only for her courageous act of
forgiveness at her husband's death, but also for the continuous, though futile,
encouragement of her sons to follow her example, and the reconciliation of Paolo's
family with that of his assassins. This latter was the great 'miraculous deed' that gained
her acceptance into the convent. She is also known as the Saint of the Impossible for the
many challenges she faced in life and the many graces she has obtained since death.