The leader of the worldwide Crosier Order, Most Rev. Laurentius Tarpin, osc, was born in Cisantana, West Java, Indonesia, and comes from a family of six siblings. He joined the Crosiers in 1988, professed his vows Aug. 28, 1990, and was ordained to the priesthood June 26, 1996.
In his Crosier life, Fr. Tarpin served as formator in the post-novitiate in Sultan Agung (Indonesia), has been a member of the council of the prior provincial in Sang Kristus, served as vice provincial, was a member of the planning committee for the 2009 General Chapter, and most recently served as prior provincial.
He holds a doctorate in moral theology from Alphonsianum in Rome and served for several years as a teacher and vice-rector of Catholic Parahyangan University in Indonesia.
Fr. Tarpin was elected master general in 2015 and is the first Indonesian to hold the office. He lives at the Crosier Generalate in Rome, where the Order is based.
Very Rev. Alex Juguilon, osc, joined the Crosiers as a novice in 2011 and made his first profession of vows on Dec. 7, 2012, at the Crosier priory in Onamia.
It was through the Crosiers’ mission preaching efforts across the country that Fr. Alex became acquainted with them. He met Fr. Ernie Martello, osc, a native of Cleveland where Fr. Alex grew up, during one of Fr. Ernie’s home visits. Fr. Alex was ultimately inspired by the Crosier charism and fraternity.
He said that daily prayer, time in Adoration and asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession helped him discover God’s desire for his life. It was during quiet moments of listening to God that Fr. Alex received his answer.
He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Eduardo Nevares, auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Phoenix, on May 26, 2018, at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix.
Since his ordination, Fr. Alex has served in many different ministries. He was appointed director of vocations and postulants for the Conventual Priory of the Holy Cross. He also is a member of the conventual priory’s global development office and a supervisor for members in the program of accountability and care. He serves as chaplain for Young Catholic Professionals (YCP), Fellow of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) and Benedictine University in Mesa, Ariz., where he also teaches as an adjunct professor in theology and bioethics.
Fr. Alex currently assists at St. Gregory’s by celebrating Mass, administering the sacraments, teaching religion to 6th– to 8th-graders, teaching RCIA classes and assisting the pastor. His other duties include meeting regularly with directees as a spiritual director. He works closely as a spiritual advisor for men in discernment at the Nazareth House in Phoenix and the men at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale during their propaedeutic year.
Fr. Alex was born in Manila, Philippines, and raised in North Royalton, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He attended St. Ignatius Preparatory High School in Cleveland and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. He was a member of St. Albert the Great Church in North Royalton, where he founded a monthly men’s prayer group, was an adult server at daily Mass and volunteered with RCIA. He has also been active in the Totus Tuus International Eucharistic, Consecration, Scapular and Rosary Novena Crusade, made in response to Pope John Paul II’s appeals.
Prior to joining the Crosiers, Fr. Alex worked as a doctor of sleep medicine in the Cleveland area. His training occurred in Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He has a Doctor of Medicine and surgery from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Manila.
As national superior, Fr. Alex will oversee the conventual priory in the United States and represent the priory during international Crosier meetings. He will also be responsible for exercising creative leadership in the priory community and helping his fellow Crosiers live and work together in an atmosphere of love, friendship and unity. He is called to give them support through his leadership and advice. His responsibility extends to both the spiritual and temporal welfare of all members of the Crosier priory in Phoenix and Onamia.
We are priests and brothers who live together according to the Rule of St. Augustine. Our charism consists of life in a community setting, daily prayer and ministry.