The Augustinian

The College is named in honor of the 4th century saint, St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustine was a key figure in the doctrinal development of Western Christianity and is often referred to as a “Doctor of the Church” by Roman Catholics. Two of his surviving works, namely “The Confessions” (his autobiography) and “The City of God“, are regarded as Western Classics. Augustine is often considered to be one of the theological fountainheads of Reformation, because of his teaching on salvation and grace; Martin Luther himself also having been an Augustinian friar. Augustine was not a Biblical fundamentalist.

Other English-speaking Augustinian schools with the same patron include the University of San Agustin, Colegio San Agustin – Makati and Colegio San Agustin – Biñan in the Philippines, St. Augustine’s College, Brookvale in Sydney, Australia, St. Augustine College Preparatory School, Richland, New Jersey; St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California; and Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Massachusetts – all three in the United States; St Augustine College in Malta, and Irish ones in Dungarvan, and New Ross.

Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod is administered by the Order of St. Augustine, in particular, the Filipino friars of the Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu based in the province of Cebu, Philippines. The Augustinian Order traces its origin to its illustrious founder St. Augustine of Hippo at the closing of the fourth century. Through the centuries, the Order has continued its work in various countries around the globe. It has had an honorable share in the exploration and Christianization of the New World.

The Augustinians are present today in over forty countries and have educational institutions in practically all parts of the world. The Spanish Augustinians were the first Christian religious order to enter the Philippines and begin its conversion to Catholicism. Since 1565, when the Augustinian Andrés de Urdaneta and his companions set foot on Philippine soil, hundreds of Augustinians have come and dedicated their lives to the religious, cultural, social and educational development of the Filipino people. At present, they are engaged in missionary, parish and educational work, having schools, parishes and missions in the cities of Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Metro Manila, Laguna, Surigao and Sorsogon.