The Order was well represented in this gathering. There were almost fifty participants coming from our schools and other educational centers administered by the Augustinian Recollects in Spain: San Agustín de Valladolid, Romareda de Zaragoza, Seminario Menor Agustiniano y Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Guadalajara, Agustiniano de Madrid, Santo Tomás de Villanueva de Granada, San Agustín de Chiclana (Cádiz), Santo Tomás de Villanueva de Salamanca and Centro Educativo San Agustín de Motril (Granada).
Agustín Alcalde, one of the organizers, defined who were the participants of this annual encounter: “They are educators, not only are they teachers, they are also parents belonging to the Associations of the APAS, who with their students, come from all corners of Spain: from Ceuta to Santander, from Valencia to Bilbao… And when they return to their cities of origin they carry with them not only folders full of documents and notes, but an ardent heart that is kept burning by the embers of a commonly assumed educational plan”.
Conferences
The sessions last Saturday began warmly with a prayer that was prepared by the students of the Augustinian Recollect Colegio Santo Tomás de Villanueva of Granada. Agustín Alcalde gave the opening remarks. He was followed by Javier Cortés, who presented the topic, “The Catholic School in the XXI Century: Challenges and Hopes”.
After the break and the group photo session the Augustinian, Jaime Sepulcre, discussed the topic, “Sharing Augustinian Spirituality in the Educational Community”. Pedro José Gómez elaborated on “The Role of the Lay Faithful in the Catholic School”. The last topic of the day, was given by a La Salle brother, Antonio Botana. He shared his wide and rich experience in education within the context of his religious life.
The Sunday Eucharist was presided by the Augustinian Recollect Manuel Beamont, the prior provincial of Our Lady of Consolation. Concelebrating with him were the priors provincial of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine and Saint Thomas of Villanova, Francisco Javier Jiménez and Simón Puertas.
The Jesuit, Francisco José Ruiz, presented the last topic. He talked of new evangelization and collaboration in the mission. The provincial prioress of the Augustinian Missionaries gave the concluding remarks. The Augustinian Lecture Series was ended, but its vision is full of illusion and it looks forward to the next gathering of Augustinian educators.