The Prior General begins his message, shocked by the tragedy and the “tremendous and traumatic effects” of the earthquake in Haiti. He invites everyone to put themselves in the shoe of the victims: This catastrophe “could have happened in our respective countries, directly affecting us, our families and friends.”
After a short review of the situation of poverty that the country is living and the information that we receive through the means of communication, the Prior General bids in his message not to remain as mere spectators: After these first few days of chaos, we cannot be satisfied with just passively receiving information to know the turn of events and their consequences.
From the seminary of Mira-Nila (Philippines), Father General proposes some ideas so that the communities and members of the Augustinian family may show their propinquity with the people of Haiti: I send you this message of condolence and solidarity that we share with all those affected, soliciting from all the members of the Augustinian Recollect Family, aside from fervent prayer to the Lord for the eternal repose of the victims of this tragedy and for the recovery of all those affected, concrete and effective support to help rebuild the country. Each one — communities, pastoral centers, concrete ministries, fraternities, groups . . . will look into possibilities and practical ways of realizing this good Christian and human endeavor.
The message concludes with a prayer of the Superior General: By your infinite mercy, open to all those who have died the gates of eternal life, so that they may rest forever on you paternal lap; Look with compassion on the sufferings of all those injured and affected, alleviate their pains and sufferings, and grant them recovery of health; strengthen their faith so that they may always trust in your infinite mercy; Grant us the abundance of your power and joy to be able to serve you with greater surrender, helping generously our brothers and sisters who live in anguish and in extreme need, alleviating the effects of natural calamities, aware that what we do for them, we do it for Christ with whom He is identified especially in these moments.