Within the framework of the commemoration of the 422 years of the Recollection in America, the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria celebrates a historic and grace-filled moment. On August 12, 2026, through the scrutiny of the third ballot, Friar Héctor Manuel Calderón Muñoz, OAR, was elected as Prior Provincial elect for the triennium 2026-2029. His official ratification will take place during the celebration of the upcoming 82nd Provincial Chapter.
A Ministry Forged from Formation and Spiritual Guidance
Until the moment of his election, Friar Héctor Manuel had been serving with dedication as Novice Master at the Novitiate Convent Desierto de la Candelaria, located in Ráquira, Boyacá (Colombia).
Born on October 13, 1982, in Bucaramanga, Santander, he began his path in the Order of Augustinian Recollects as a postulant on January 27, 2000, in Manizales. He completed his novitiate at the emblematic Desierto de la Candelaria, where he made his simple profession on January 15, 2005. His definitive commitment to the Order was sealed with his solemn profession on December 5, 2008, subsequently receiving the order of the presbyterate on December 19, 2009, at the Immaculate Conception Parish of Suba.
Throughout his fruitful pastoral trajectory, he has assumed diverse responsibilities in service to the Church and the Order:
Parochial Vicar at the Immaculate Conception in Suba during 2010.
Collaborator in the pastoral ministry of the parish of Santa María de la Esperanza in Santiago, Chile, in 2011.
Vocational Promoter of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria in 2013.
Master of professed religious at the Theologate Formation House beginning in 2017.
Integration of Clinical Psychology and Spirituality
Friar Héctor Manuel is widely recognized as a distinguished priest who achieves a profound integration of clinical psychology with Christian spirituality. He is an expert in inner healing, personal reconciliation, and therapeutic work with the “inner child”.
This vocation for human healing is sustained by a solid and rigorous academic preparation:
Licentiate in Theology from the University of San Buenaventura in 2008.
Licentiate in Spirituality for Formators from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome.
Master’s in Integrative Humanistic Therapy granted by the Galene Institute of Madrid.
His principal mission lies in integral psychospiritual accompaniment, seeking to form emotionally healthy persons. As a recognized speaker, director of spiritual retreats, and formator, his therapeutic and pastoral work significantly strengthens the human fabric of the communities where the Order operates. This vision of healing and personal transformation aligns directly with the values of development and solidarity that the Recollect family promotes.
Entrusted to the Virgin of Candelaria
The official communiqué, signed by the Provincial Secretariat, concludes with a message of hope and faith, entrusting this new service to Our Lady of Candelaria. The entire Province unites in prayer asking for her intercession so that the Lord may grant Friar Héctor Manuel wisdom, strength, and a spirit of discernment in this new labor.
Likewise, a prayer is raised that Our Lady of Consolation, patroness of the Order, may always accompany him on this path of fraternity, mission, and fidelity to the Gospel.
Read the protocol: CLICK HERE > Communiqué Prior Provincial Elect
