Civitas Dei (Little City of God)

A Place of Prayer, Formation, Retreat, and Community

by Joel V. Ocampo

bhotos by Jasper Carpio and Joseph Peterson Lao.

Porac, Pampanga — August 1, 2026, became a historic day for the Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD), St. Nicholas of Tolentino Community in Pampanga as on this day, the blessing of the lot of the future Civitas Dei in Porac, Pampanga, and the turnover of the deed of donation from the Dizon Family to the Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD) took place.

“Civitas Dei”, which means “Little City of God” was inspired by the words of Saint Augustine who said, “Let us build together this Little City of God for the glory of God and the good of many.” Saint Augustine’s central message is that human societies and empires are temporary, but the “City of God”, that is, the community of those who love and follow God is eternal. Therefore, people should place their ultimate hope in God rather than in political power or earthly achievements. The Civitas Dei in Porac, Pampanga, will soon become a place where countless hearts will encounter God through prayer, formation, retreat, and community life.

Fr. James Dobles, OAD led the opening prayer, while Rev. Fr. Ryan V. Ragaza OAD, gave the introduction to the project. According to Fr. Ragaza, “While the earthy city is often marked by the self-interest and material pursuits, the City of God is built upon faith, charity, truth, and the love of God. Inspired by the vision of our Holy Father Augustine, the Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD) hopes to establish here in Barangay Mancatian, Municipality of Porac, Province of Pampanga, a Little City of God. A sacred place where people can encounter God, deepen their faith, find healing, and grow in Christian discipleship. Our vision is to create a center of spirituality, formation, pilgrimage, and Augustinian hospitality that will serve not only the faithful of Pampanga, but pilgrims from all over the Philippines and beyond. Our mission is to provide a place where every visitor can pray, learn, reflect, and experience God's love through the rich spiritual heritage of the church and the Augustinian tradition.”

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Fr. Ragaza also gave the future components of the Civitas Dei. The project includes the construction of the following:

1. Chapel of Holy Relics – the spiritual heart Civitas Dei. This sacred chapel will house hundreds and eventually 1000s of authenticated relics of saints, inviting pilgrims to deepen their devotion and be inspired by the holy men and women who faithfully followed Christ.

2. Community House – the residence of the Discalced Augustinian Friars, where they will live in fraternity, prayer, and service. From here, they will carry out pastoral ministry, accompany pilgrims, and sustain the spirituality life of the community.

3. Spirituality Center – a place dedicated to recollections, seminars, spiritual direction, and ongoing faith formation. Here, individuals and groups can nurture their relationship with God and grow in the Augustinian values of interiority, community, and service.

4. Retreat House – a peaceful haven where priests, religious families, students, professionals, and lay faithful can withdraw from the noise of everyday life for retreats, days of recollections, and personal prayer.

5. Rosary Walk – a beautifully landscaped prayer park where pilgrims can meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, while walking in silence and contemplation, entrusting their intentions to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

6. Memorial Walkway – a sacred pathway lined with the 14 Augustinian Trees of Faith. Each bearing 715 engraved bronze leaves, honoring the generosity of benefactors. Inspired by the Saint Augustine's The City of God, the walkway invites pilgrims to journey through the history of salvation from creation to the heavenly Jerusalem, while remembering that every act of generosity becomes a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love. Each engraved leaf stands as a perpetual memorial and as a testament that, through the kindness of many, this sanctuary will continue to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.

Fr. Ragaza concluded, “My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is more than a construction project. Civitas Dei is a mission of faith. It is our hope that this place will become a beacon of prayer, peace, formation, and hope. A place where lives are transformed and hearts are drawn closer to Christ. Together, let us build Civitas Dei not only with bricks and stones, but with hearts united in love for God and for one another. May everything we begin today be for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of souls. Deo gratias et Mariae (Thanks be to God and Mary).

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(left: Rev. Fr. Ryan V. Ragaza OAD; right: Ms. Clare Leogarda Dizon)

Ms. Clare Leogarda Dizon, representative of the Dizon Family said during the event, “Gratitude becomes a lasting legacy. Our family stands before you with humble and thankful hearts. We believe that every blessing we receive from God comes from Him, and that we are merely stewards of those blessings. So, with all the blessings He has bestowed upon the family, I think this is just a very small fraction to thank Him and to honor Him. So, everything that we have, all the blessings that we have, especially those blessings that money cannot buy, those are the most important things we have. It is an honor to be a part of this Little City of God, the Chapel of Holy Relics. We pray that the place will also strengthen and deepen the faith of other people in times of joy, in times of sorrow. So, we entrust this land to the OAD Community, and we are confident that this will be dedicated to God’s glory and to the mission of bringing Christ to a closer to the people. May the Little City of God become a light of faith for generations to come, even when we're all no longer here. May every person who sets foot on this sacred ground will experience the peace, mercy, and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!”

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The Dizon Family and the Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD), St. Nicholas of Tolentino Community in Pampanga.

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Rev. Fr. Crisologo S. Suan, OAD, gave the acceptance message. He said, “I express our heartfelt gratitude to Rodolfo “Rudy” and Leogarda “Luds” Dizon and family, for your extraordinary generosity in donating this property. Your gift is more than a parcel of land. It is a gift of faith, hope, and love that will bless generations to come. We humbly accept this donation with profound gratitude and with a deep sense of responsibility. We promise to care for this sacred trust with God’s presence and with God’s grace, transform it into Civitas Dei, or the Little City of God, a place where people will pray, deepen their faith, experience healing, and encounter Christ. As Saint Augustine reminds us, “Where there is love, there is God.” It is love that has brought us together today, and it is love that will build this Little City of God. Thank you and may God abundantly bless “Rudy” and “Luds” Dizon, and family, and everyone who will make help this mission possible. Thank you for your generous heart and for leaving a legacy of faith that will continue to bless countless people in the years to come.”

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Interestingly, Barangay Mancatian in Porac, Pampanga, was heavily buried and partially destroyed by massive lahar flows from the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, which traveled through the Pasig-Potrero River. Mancatian was among the hardest-hit communities, with large portions of the village completely buried beneath deep layers of volcanic sand and lahar. The Pasig-Potrero River basin became the primary channel for recurring lahar flows during heavy rains for many years after the eruption. More than thirty years later, Barangay Mancatian is now blessed to be home to this Civitas Dei (Little City of God). Indeed, the words of the Scriptures is true, “Do not be afraid—you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated…For one brief moment I left you; with deep love I will take you back…I will bring you to my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.” (Isaiah 54:4a, 7; 56:7).