On November 1, 2023, the Decree of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments came into force, approving the new edition of the Ritual of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity (SARF) in Spanish.
It has been a work of several years in which religious and lay people have participated. This edition replaces the 1992 edition and has been enriched with liturgical forms for the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Hours, for the diverse events of the life of the FSAR, with the purpose that not everything is carried out within the celebration of the Eucharist. Some rites were modified according to the General Statutes of the Secular Fraternity, which had been reformed in 2015. The novelty of this edition of the Ritual is, also, in that it contains a selection of biblical texts that have enriched the proper lectionary and that, easily, can be used in the various celebrations. The Portuguese and English editions, which should be prepared according to the outline approved for the Spanish edition, have yet to be submitted for approval.
The approval of this Ritual, a few days before the beginning of the international meeting of the FSAR, marks an important milestone in the life of the laity who share our charism, since it constitutes a sign of unity, and makes it clear how the Augustinian Recollect charism continues to be current and valid among the laity.
The Decree of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was signed by Vittorio Francesco Viola, O.F.M., Archbishop Secretary of the Vatican organism, and in it he expressed his desire that the FSAR always be a testimony and instrument for sharing the charism of the Order among the laity.
The Ritual of the FSAR is divided into four chapters, referring to the stages of admission, the promises of the Secular Augustinian Recollect, the anniversaries, a chapter with biblical texts of reference and an appendix of prayers.
After the Second Vatican Council, the need arose to renew and revitalize the so-called Augustinian Recollect Third Order and to give it a name more in keeping with our times. This is how the name OAR Secular Fraternity came about.
The characteristics of the Secular Augustinian Recollect are: the constant desire of conversion to the love of God and the brothers; joyful witness of belonging to Christ and of living according to his teachings; cultivation of healthy fraternal friendship; love for the truth; apostolic commitment; spirit of prayer, liturgical life and confrontation with the Word of God. And, together with this, a constant loving gaze on Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church and our Mother, whom he invokes, above all, with the Augustinian title of Mother of Consolation.