FRIARS IN FORMATION

Novice John Bernardo

John Bernardo is a novice of the Province of St. Augustine in California. He was born and raised in the Philippines and is an incoming student at John Paul the Great Catholic University. He has a deep interest in the Interiority charism and the history of the Order. He also enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking and exploring trails.

Pre-Novice AAron Figueroa

Aaron was born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico and grew up in El Centro, California, where he immigrated with his family at the age of eight. He graduated from Southwest High School and attended Imperial Valley College before transferring to UC San Diego. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology & Neuroscience. He then worked at El Centro Regional Medical Center in roles ranging from Patient Care Technician to Study Data Associate. While attending a National Eucharistic Revival conference, Aaron felt called to the ministerial priesthood. Responding to this call, he left his hospital career to dedicate his life fully to God. He began volunteering at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, teaching youth Confirmation and adult faith formation. Subsequently, Aaron taught Religion classes at Vincent Memorial Catholic High School before entering the Order of St. Augustine.

 Candidate Xavier Grah

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, in a strong Catholic African community where my faith first took root. I attended Angelo State University in West Texas, where I studied International Business and Linguistics. During college, the Lord began drawing me closer to Him and sparked in me a desire to share the faith with others.

Right after my studies, I served for three years as a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary, most recently at California State University, Fullerton. Walking with students, leading Bible studies, and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ has been a tremendous blessing. Through those experiences, along with prayer and spiritual direction, I felt the Lord inviting me to discern religious life more seriously.

I am excited to begin the Pre-Novitiate Program with the Order of Saint Augustine and to see where the Lord leads in this next chapter. I look forward to growing in my relationship with Christ, learning more about the Augustinian way of life, and continuing to serve God’s people.

Bro. Justin MA, OSA

 Born in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. I grew up in Union City, California and went to James Logan High School. I went to University of California, Santa Cruz and majored in Health Sciences. I had even worked as an optician and an assistant for about ten years. I converted to Catholicism in 2020 under my Confirmation Saint, named Agathon of Egypt, who was an eremitical desert father that died in the early 400s AD. I joined the Order of Saint Augustine by 2023 that followed its founding history of hermits coming together to live in community life. I made my first vows on August 2, 2025 with the Province of Saint Augustine in California. Currently, I am going into my second year of temporary religious vows under the Order. Also, I am studying at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois for a Master of Arts in Theology (with a Research Thesis) with a Major in Spirituality and a Minor in Systematic Theology. After studying theology, I hope to stay as a religious brother and take further studies into nursing for the Order.

 Bro. Javier Medina, osa

Born in California's Central San Joaquin Valley, I grew up surrounded by a close-knit agricultural community, which deeply shaped my curiosity about people and family. This early interest led me to pursue my undergraduate studies at UCSD, where I specialized in Sociology and education. 

Currently, I am in the thick of my formation journey as I conclude my second year as a simply professed friar in the OSA. In this current phase, I am sharpening my skills in theological studies and pastoral ministry and learning how to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-life application. Looking ahead, I am eager to finish my studies and become a permanent member of the OSA.

Bro. Tony Moreno, OSA

Brother Tony Moreno hails from Live Oak in Sutter County, California, and grew up attending Sacred Heart Parish in Gridley within the Diocese of Sacramento. He was confirmed by Alphonse Gallegos, OAR.

He graduated from University of California San Diego, Revelle College, earning a degree in Physics and Earth Science, where he also participated in oceanographic research. During his time in college, he completed Air Force ROTC through San Diego State University and was commissioned into the United States Air Force, serving four years on active duty as a scientist-physicist.

After his military service, he worked in pharmaceutical sales before entering priestly formation for the Diocese of San Diego for one year. He later walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, an experience that helped deepen his vocational discernment.

Brother Tony then spent seven years with the Redemptorists before being drawn to the Augustinian community through encounters with the pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Parish in North Park.

An avid tea drinker and lover of the arts, Brother Tony is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union, alma mater of Pope Leo XIV. He has a deep love for the sacred liturgy, especially the Liturgy of the Hours prayed both in community and in private, as well as the celebration of the Mass.

Brother Tony currently serves in his second year as Chaplain at Saint Augustine High School while continuing his discernment toward solemn vows in the Augustinian Order.

Saint Augustine, pray for us!

Candidate Brandon Morgan

Brandon Morgan is 43 years old from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He spent 17 years in the United States Army as a paratrooper before retiring to San Diego, where he is finishing his B.S. in Finance.  He is entering as a Pre-Novitiate in the fall of 2026.  

Bro. Lou San Vicente, OSA

Completed a pastoral year (school year 2025-2026) at both Villanova Preparatory School, Ojai (supporting Campus Ministry, English Immersion Support, Christian service, substitute teaching, etc.) and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Ojai (supporting religious education programs, food bank distribution, Confirmation classes, Hispanic ministry, etc.).  Residence:  St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Rectory, Ojai. 

Candidate John Paul Sacedor

Born in Davao City, Philippines, John Paul grew up in a predominantly Catholic country and was named after St. John Paul II to commemorate his historic papal visit during the 1995 World Youth Day. Being raised in a community built on a strong faith in Christ nurtured within him a vocation to the priesthood. He graduated from the Jesuit-run Catholic university, Ateneo de Davao, with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in language and literature. He was formerly a Jesuit scholastic, undertaking philosophy studies at Saint Louis University in Missouri. Because of his interest in media studies and filmmaking, he briefly explored acting, appearing in a few projects, including the TV series “The Chosen”. He is affiliated with and a parishioner of both Sacred Heart and the Byzantine Rite parish of St. George in Washington State, where he has loved serving at the altar and being with both communities. Reading the life of St. Augustine in the “Confessions” inspired him to join the Augustinians, formally beginning his formation journey as a pre-novice this year.

Bro. James Schloegel, OSA

Hi! My name is Br. James Schloegel, three years into my Augustinian formation. I have been in simple vows for the last year, residing at the St. Augustine Monastery in San Diego. I'm an Arizona native and had been residing in Oceanside, CA, for the past few years before entering the Order. I'm a full-time student at John Paul Catholic University in Escondido, CA, finishing up an undergraduate degree. I enjoy being outdoors; around the water, working on cars, jamming out to my favorite band, August Burns Red, hanging out with the guys, and helping out where I can. Please keep me in prayer as I continue my formation in the Augustinian Order!

Pre-Novice Greg SKiano

Before entering the Augustinians in 2025, Greg worked as a software engineer and graphic designer. He originally studied fine art, with an emphasis on printmaking, and later discovered a love of philosophy while discerning a priestly vocation with the Diocese of San Diego. Though he was born in Virginia and spent eight years in New York City, Greg received all his sacraments in San Diego and considers it his true home. He is thankful for the support of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the San Diego Cursillo community during his discernment, and he looks forward to whatever God has planned for him next.

Pre-Novice Daniel Q. Yao

Daniel is a first-generation Chinese-Filipino American pre-novitiate from Southern California (born in San Diego, raised in small town Sierra Madre in Los Angeles). After attending Catholic Elementary School and High School, he lived through a period of confusion before a significant conversion moment at 27, from where he began to understand and know better and indeed quite profoundly the love of God, particularly in the Eucharist. 

This led to a journey of intensified spiritual growth including eager involvement in a number of ministries. His rather lengthy discernment has brought himto the Augustinians, after a year and a half as a seminarian for the Diocese of San Diego. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in English from UCLA, a Master’s Degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and has completed various other coursework, including the equivalent of a major in Philosophy from USD. Having spent a good amount of time as a teacher and coach, he enjoys playing sports, exploring and learning new things, traveling, hiking and writing.