Historical and biographical review of some of the main figures of the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine of the Order of Augustinian Recollects from its foundation to the present day.
Msgr. José Julián Aranguren was the first and only Augustinian Recollect to be appointed as archbishop, specifically of the principal Philippine diocese of Manila.
He was born in 1801 in Barasoain, Navarra, Spain. He was among the first novices at Alfaro, La Rioja, which was the inaugural formation house owned by the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine in Spain, established in 1824.
Following his profession and recognizing his academic qualities, the Province recommended that he prepare for the formation ministry. He managed theology classes for one year, yet his heart yearned for missionary work, and eventually, he was dispatched to Manila, also assuming responsibilities related to formation.
After mastering Tagalog, he was appointed to Capas in present-day Tarlac, over one hundred kilometres north of Manila. Subsequently, he was charged with the revival of the Masinloc mission, which had been without priests for fifty years. He found it in a deplorable state, but over seven years, he restored the buildings as well as the spirits and hearts of the faithful.
He was later elected vicar of Zambales, secretary provincial, provincial councillor, and in 1843, prior provincial. His term as provincial was cut short when the Church appointed him archbishop of Manila. He received his episcopal ordination in 1847 at San Nicholas Church in Intramuros.
His tenure was challenging, requiring him to exhibit prudence, diplomatic skill, and patience. He showed particular concern and preference for the impoverished, sparing no effort to visit the faithful in large parishes and remote mission stations, both by land and sea. He conducted two pastoral visitations across Luzon.
The Church played a fundamental role in social life, and from his position, he supported the establishment of the Banco Español-Filipino [now the Bank of the Philippine Islands] and the founding of the Sisters of Charity to oversee ministries of education and health care.
The fifteen years of his episcopate, leading up to his death in 1861, left a lasting positive impression. He was buried at the Manila Cathedral. However, in accordance with his last will, his heart was entrusted to the Province, which preserved it in a precious marble urn at the presbytery of their church in Intramuros.
