SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines — Sr. Niceta Vargas, OSA, president of La Consolacion University Philippines, challenged leaders and educators of La Consolacion schools to embrace leadership rooted in love during her keynote talk, “Forming Augustinian School Leaders: A Deep Dive into St. Augustine’s Teachings on Caritas,” at the 2026 Association of Schools of the Augustinian Sisters (ASAS) Conference.
Addressing delegates from various La Consolacion schools across the Philippines, Vargas reflected on the Gospel of John, the writings of St. Augustine and contemporary realities in Catholic education, emphasizing that authentic Augustinian leadership begins with caritas — self-giving love directed toward God and neighbor.
She cited St. Augustine’s view that virtues such as temperance, fortitude, justice and wisdom are ultimately expressions of love properly ordered.
“Justice is love that does not want to possess the good things of life exclusively for itself, but shares them equally with others,” Vargas said, quoting Augustinian thought.
She also underscored Augustine’s concept of ordo amoris, or the order of loves, explaining that leadership requires loving the right things in the right order — placing God, mission and people above personal interest.
Drawing from John’s Gospel and Christ’s commandment to love one another, Vargas said educational leaders must see administration not merely as management, but as ministry.
She urged school heads and administrators to create communities marked by compassion, fairness, humility and service, especially in a time when schools face changing social, technological and institutional demands.
Vargas said the mission of La Consolacion schools is fulfilled when leaders form students not only for competence, but for character and Christian witness.
The ASAS Conference gathers school leaders, administrators and educators from the network of La Consolacion schools nationwide for formation, collaboration and strategic discussions on sustaining the Augustinian educational mission.