The letter of the superior general, dated in Rome on April 6, opens with a quotation from the First Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy that will be the motto of the General Chapter, the 54th in the history of the Order: “We put our hope in the living God” (4:10). Father Guerra goes on to explain the purpose of his letter: “I urge everyone to live in hope and to be united in praying that the Chapter will be a grace-filled time that will impel us to re-enliven the Augustinian Recollect charism, to intensify fraternal life in our communities, and to commit ourselves with renewed vigor to the evangelizing mission of the Church.”
Challenges
As well as asking our religious for special prayers that the Holy Spirit will breathe upon the most important meeting of the Order, the Prior General lists in his two-page letter some of the challenges that will confront those who assemble in Granada on October 4: “We all share responsibility for meeting the challenges that the coming General Chapter will have to face, among them the revision and updating of our Constitutions, the restructuring of the Order and the organization of its ministries, the proper functioning of the secretariats and institutes, initial and continuing formation, vocation ministry, and the nature and communitarian dimension of our prayer and our apostolic mission.”
Prayer
As well as asking our religious to pray with special fervor, the General Council has composed the following prayer of thanksgiving:
Loving Father, we thank you for calling us to form the Augustinian Recollect family within your Church and to share our life with brothers who, by their example, their work, and their vision, help us to grow in faithfully following your Son Jesus, our Teacher.
Grant us, Lord, the grace to celebrate this new General Chapter. Make us always one in mind and heart directed toward God.
Through your Spirit revitalize our hope, forgive our errors and sluggishness, make our steps firm in giving witness to your Kingdom, enlighten our Order in adapting our laws to this present time, guide the minds and hearts of our brothers who come together to discover your plans and designs for each one of us.
May our Mother of Consolation, Saint Augustine, and al the Saints of our Order help us in this graced moment to be faithful to the Gospel of your Son and to our religious and priestly consecration. Amen.