The central theme of the course in Baguio was the one assigned for this year for the whole Order: “Revitalization, Fraternal Life, and Community,” a topic very much a part of the Church’s current efforts to bring herself up to date and, in particular, in conformity with the teachings and actions of Pope Francis. One of the main emphases of the course was the study of the community experience of Augustine, as it is embodied and described in the Order’s revised constituional text. Most of the participants did not have a thorough knowledge of this new text of the Constitutions, since the English translation was published recently, in 2012, and so the theme of the course was fundamental.
Most Rev. Paul Virgilio David, Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, gave the keynote address on the topic “The Church Always in the Process of Being Reformed: Challenges of the Renewal of the Church.” He then presided at the opening Eucharist of the course, at which some 60 religious participated, with the prior provincial of the Philippines at their head.
Four Weeks
The first week was dedicated to a retreat, attended not only by those registered for the course, but also by some 70 other friars who came from various parts of the Islands. The director of the retreat was an Augustinian priest, Father Czar Emmanuel Álvarez, whose talks centered around the theme, “The Spirituality of Revitalization: Community and Fraternal Life.”
The remaining three weeks had a more academic and analytical bent, studying the reality of community from different points of view under the direction of various presenters.
Thus, the participants reviewed the various human dimensions of community and analyzed its richness in the diverse modes of expression that have shaped it throughout Augustinian Reollect history in different cultures, particularly in the Asian and Philippine experience.
The entire process took place in an atmosphere of continuous fraternal living, enhanced by sports and cultural activities, resulting in a final evaluation of “great satisfaction” and in enthusiasm to continue searching for the Augustinian ideal of “living with one heart and one mind.”
Forty Years
The course in the Philippines, which concluded with a Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Baguio, Most Rev. Carlito Cenzon, ended one more cycle of these continental courses with which the Order of Augustinian Recollects has been fomenting its renewal for almost forty years.
The courses last for four weeks, dedicated to updating the participants’ knowledge of the Order and to reflection on their personal lives. They are organized by continents, alternating annually between Europe and America, while Asia follows its own particular rhythm.
Nevertheless, very recently the three continents have coincided within a short time. In July of last year the course for Europe took place in Rome; in January and February of this year the course for the Americas was offered in Rio de Janeiro; and last month it was Asia’s turn to present the course in Baguio, Philippines.