Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD
The Most Rev. Rolando Octavus J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D., is the 34th Bishop and 4th Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres. He was born to Nicolasa Joven and Tomas Tria Tirona as youngest of eight siblings on July 22, 1946 in Sampaloc, Manila.
He entered Carmel on August 15, 1964 and solemnly professed vows on February 10, 1968. He was ordained priest on April 21, 1974 in Rome. He was ordained as bishop on December 29, 1994 at the Manila Cathedral.
He served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila from 1994 to 1996. Then served as Bishop the Diocese of Malolos from 1996 to 2003. He became the Bishop of Infanta for nine years (2003 – 2012).
He was appointed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres on September 8, 2012 and was installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop on November 14, 2012.
His episcopal motto is Christi Sumus, We Belong to the Christ.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of Archbishop-emeritus Rolando Octavus Joven Tria Tirana consists of his personal arms joined to that of the Diocese of Malolos, the Prelature of Infanta, and the Archdiocese of Caceres.
The upper portion of the coat of arms is the rising sun against a white background. The sun represents Jesus, the Sun of justice, who dispels the darkness of sin and bondage by His Resurrection. The sun's yellow color, together with its rays, symbolizes the vigor and enthusiasm with which a servant-leader is called to serve his flock. Taken together, the white and yellow colors represent the Papal flag which suggests the bishop's sharing in the office of the Apostles as well as the universal scope to which he gives himself without reserve.
The lower portion has two sections. The right section bears three cotton flowers, "Bulak" in Filipino, which stand for the province of Bulacan where the Archbishop has served as the third residential Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos, and the image of the Infant Jesus of Prague, a devotion spread by the Carmelites and to which the Archbishop has a special devotion, and representing the Prelature of Infanta where the Archbishop served as the third residential Bishop as well.
The left section bears the shield of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, of which the new Archbishop is a member. It features a mountain crowned with the Cross and flanked with three stars of David. The mountain represents the privileged place of encounter between God and His people. The mountain is Carmel home to the prophets and mystics and all who strive the interior life. Mary stands out as Queen and Beauty of this mystical mountain. The Cross symbolizes the centrality of jesus for Carmel and for the new Archbishop's ministry. The three stars symbolize the priorities the Archbishop has outlined: the star at the base represents intimacy and union with God; the star on the left represents collaborative ministry for the Church of the Poor; and finally for the right represents concern for the gift of creation. The mountain is colored brown, symbolizing deep solidarity for all that is human. The stars are colored gold indicting the nobility and dignity of Christian vocation. All these are sent against cream background to symbolize simplicity and single-heartedness.
At the base of the mountain is the word "INA" (Mother) the endearing term used to express singular devotion and love for Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness and Mother of the Archdiocese of Caceres. The word "INA" recalls to mind the Carmelite Doctor of the Church, St. Therese of the Child Jesus who exclaimed: "For me Mary is more Mother than Queen!" The letters that make up the word "INA" are Pili nuts typical and well known in the Bicol Region.
The motto is "Christi Sumus" which means "We belong to the Christ" or in Filipino "Tayo'y kay Kristo" and in Bicolano: "Kita ki Cristo". This is the constant reminder of St. Paul: "Whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8) expressing our belonginess to Jesus Christ and the communitarian thrust which must imbue every pastor's mission in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Education
Elementary:
Centro Escolar University, Manila
1952-1958
Secondary:
Centro Escolar University, Manila
1958-1962
Tertiary:
AB Political Science
San Beda College, Manila
1962-1965
Philosophy:
San Carlos Seminary, Makati
1968
Theology/Graduate Studies:
Mt. Carmel Carmelite Monastery, Haifa, Israel
1969-1970
Collegio Internazionale Carmelitani Scalz Teresianum
1970-1974
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Institutio di Spiritualita, Rome
1975
Ministry
Formation Team Carmelite Seminary, Tugbok, Davao City
Member, 1976
Carmelite Fathers Novitiate, Davao City
Novice Director, 1976-1978
Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila
Member, Parish Team, 1978-1980
Carmelite Seminary, Davao City
Postulant Director, 1979
Formation Institute for Religious, Davao City
Professor, 1979
Summer Institute of Spirituality, MOL, Novaliches
Teaching Staff, 1979
Summer Spirituality Seminar, Davao City
Staff, 1980
St. Francis College Seminary, Davao City
Spiritual Director, 1980
Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila
Parish Priest, 1981-1986
Carmelite Community, New Manila
Superior, 1981
Order of Carmelite Discalsed
Provincial Concilor, 1981
St. Anthony Parish, Casiguran, Aurora
Parish Team, 1983
CCD, Quezon City District
Professor, 1983
BCC-CO Luzon
Staff, 1986-1990
Carmelite Scholasticate
Rector, 1986-1990
Monastery of St. John of the Cross, New Manila
OCD Provincial Councilor, 1987
St. John of the Cross Seminary, New Manila
Rector, 1987
Mary Hill School of Theology
Professor, 1988
Religious Assistant to the Carmelite Nuns
1989
Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila
Parish Priest, 1990-1992
Order of Carmelite Discalsed
Provincial Superior, 1992-1994
Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Titular Bishop of Vulturara
1994-1997
Episcopal Commission on Youth
Chairman, 1995-2005
Apostolic Administrator of Malolos
1996
Bishop of Malolos
1997-2003
Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA)
Chairman, 2001-2003
Prelate of Infanta
2003-2012
Archbishop of Caceres
2012-2024
CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines
Chairman, 2012-2019