Fray Efren: Brother, Barber and Driver of the Future Pope Leo XIV

Dominus Est
2 days ago
4 min read

Words and photos by Fr Genesis Pacaldo Labana, OSA

When Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and described himself as a son of St. Augustine—an Augustinian—those unfamiliar with the life of the Catholic Church began to ask: Who are the Augustinians?

Immediately, media institutions and those interested in learning more about the new pope began to look for Augustinians, who are present in 48 countries. The eyes of the world turned toward the Order of Saint Augustine, seeking to understand who the new pope is.

The Augustinians

Every circumscription has its own experience of the then Prior General Robert Prevost, OSA, who led the Order for 12 years. Part of the Prior General’s responsibility is to visit communities, talk to the brothers, and listen to their daily realities. Before becoming pope, he had already traveled extensively across the globe.

The Augustinians are known as community builders and ministers in various apostolates such as education, parishes, and missions. Founded by the Catholic Church and following the spirituality of Saint Augustine, they have existed for more than 700 years, since 1244.

Many assume that Augustinians are all ordained ministers but their identity is first and foremost rooted in brotherhood.

They are called brothers first before anything else. Less known is that the Order includes not only ordained ministers but also consecrated men who live out their vocation as solemn professed brothers.

The Augustinians are called above all to live in community. “Before all else, live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God.” (Rule 1,1, St. Augustine). Their Constitutions reaffirm that “the first apostolate is the community.”

Brothers

In the entire Order, there are only around 172 of 2,800 Augustinian friars who have chosen to profess their lives as brothers. They live in community and share the tasks of labor and responsibility. Though not ordained, they contribute equally in community life. They pray, work, dine, and live with their fellow friars.

One of them is a brother from the Philippines, Fray Efren Obja-an, OSA, ascribed to the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu. He has served the General Curia of the Order from 1997 to 2004 and again from 2013 to the present, totaling 19 years. He has lived and worked with the last three Prior Generals, including the now Pope Leo XIV.

Almost two decades of his religious life has been dedicated to service at the headquarters of the Order in Rome and celebrated his 50 years of profession of vows last 2024 on August 13.

The Barber and Driver of the Pope

Over the years, Fray Efren has taken on several tasks such as food procurement, cleaning, and providing free haircuts. He also facilitated the friars’ travels to and from the airport and other locations.

He is the go-to person for the brothers whenever they need a haircut. One of them was then Fr. Prevost. Even after he became a cardinal in 2023, Fray Efren continued this act of service.

Asked what they usually talked about while he trimmed the cardinal’s hair, he humbly replied, “I don’t talk that much. I simply do the things that I like to do.” For him, everything felt normal and casual, just part of his regular duties.

He holds Fr. Prevost in high regard, describing their relationship as one between a teacher and a student. His humility has earned him the love and respect of the brothers. He is a silent and dedicated friar who never doubts his commitment to the Augustinian way of life.

Fray Efren was also once the personal driver of Fr. Prevost. He fondly recalls one moment with a smile, saying, “I even drove him for six straight hours.” For him, it was just another opportunity to serve. “I just want to serve them as much as I could, without doubts.”

Fraternal Bond Through the Years

When Fr. Prevost was still Prior General, they would often play doubles in tennis together along with Fr. Alejandro Moral Antón, OSA, and Fr. Eusebio Berdon, OSA, who was one of the Vicar Generals during Fr. Prevost’s time. Fray Efren recalls how Fr. Prevost injured his right knee during one of their games, requiring hospitalization and surgery.

When Fr. Prevost’s term as Prior General ended in 2013, he left his tennis racket with Fray Efren for safekeeping. Years later, Fray Efren returned it to him when he came back to Rome in 2023 after being appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw the evaluation and recommendation of episcopal candidates worldwide.

A Front-Row View to History

Fray Efren was in his room when the name of Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the new pope for the 1.4 billion Catholics. He didn’t need to go down to the square, even though it was just steps away from the General Curia. From his window, he had a clear view of the white smoke and of Pope Leo XIV’s first appearance on the balcony.

“I was surprised and overjoyed,” he said. But he also admitted that he felt worried. “His life will change, and he won’t be able to visit the community as freely as before.”

Fray Efren used to see him almost every day, praying, chatting, and eating with the brothers. His office at the dicastery was just a minute’s walk from the Curia. “The only time he couldn’t join us was when he had other commitments,” he added.

Fray Efren now offers only his prayers for the new pope and firmly believes in his ability to carry the role of a shepherd of the Church, just as he had shown strong leadership as head of the Order.

A Visit from Pope Leo XIV

He felt blessed and overjoyed when the pope visited the General Curia on May 13, 2025 for the first time since his election, to celebrate Mass and have lunch with them. Fray Efren couldn’t hide his excitement and cleaned the grounds early that morning where the papal vehicle would be parked.

Throughout his years in Rome, Fray Efren has had personal encounters with three previous popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—during papal audiences. But the fourth pope is special to him.