There are three terms in vogue used by the Recollects today: ‘restructuring,’ ‘renewal,’ and ‘constitutions.’ They designate three things that are well distinct, necessary and complementary. The first is ‘restructuring,’ focused on the external structure of the Order, which must be amended and redeployed. The second is ‘revitalization,’ which refers rather to the interior dynamism. But it needs to know also the genetic map of the institution and the purpose being followed from its origins, and this is the constitutions. It is a book that contains the so-called “charism”, the genes that the Holy Spirit has implanted in the Order. Without knowledge and interiorization of this genetic map, renewal, nor a minimally consistent and trustworthy restructuring would not be possible.
Bedside book
The news can seem to be irrelevant. It could be expressed in titular and inexpressive plans just like: “The Augustinian Recollects publish new constitutions,” or “Each friar receives a copy of the new constitutions.”
The news would be such if it would simply deal with the printing of a new book. But the constitutions is not just any book. For every friar, this 431 page book published by the Calatrava de Salamanca printing is more than just a bedside book. It will accompany him day after day like a sacred book.
This small and fundamental book is being distributed by the whole Order; a copy is given to each religious with his name and surname. In the next years, days of study and congresses about it will be organized, trying to take a close look at it and to infuse it in the very lifeblood of every Augustinian Recollect.