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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.

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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.

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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

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