Between March 24 and April 7, 2024, the Prior General visited Kenya and Sierra Leone, countries where the Augustinian Recollect Family is present in Africa.
The fraternal visitation began in the first country mentioned above on March 24, where he was able to experience Holy Week with the communities of Augustinian Recollect nuns of Kenya. On April 1, Easter Monday, he began his visit to Sierra Leone, a republic located in the western part of the African continent, specifically in the towns of Kamabai and Kamalo.
In the community of Kamabai, the Prior General learned first hand about the projects that ARCORES is carrying out in the country and met with the local tribal leaders, who thanked him for the work that the Augustinian Recollect Order is carrying out in the area.
Subsequently, Fr. Miguel Angel visited several of the schools that are part of the diocesan network coordinated by the Augustinian Recollect religious and shared the day with the families of the village. It should be noted that this community also serves 26 chapels in this extensive area.
In Kamalo, where there is another community of Augustinian Recollects, he visited several of the educational and human promotion initiatives promoted by ARCORES and met with local authorities.
On the other hand, the Prior General participated in the blessing of St. Peter’s Church (St. Louis St. Peter Catholic Church) in Kamakwei, a ceremony presided over by Msgr. Bob John H. Koroma, Bishop of Makeni. This region is served by the Augustinian Recollect community of Kamalo.
Also in the latter community of Kamalo, Fr. Miguel Angel held interviews with local leaders and representatives of parish groups and received pledges from members of the first Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity (FSAR) of Sierra Leone. It is interesting to note that it is also the first FSAR in Africa, which shows that the Augustinian Recollect charism continues to move hearts in this vast continent.
Back in Kamabai, on April 7, the Prior General had a meeting with the priors of the two communities of Augustinian Recollect religious in the West African country.
In a message he was able to record before leaving for the airport to return to Rome, Fr. Miguel Ángel admitted that he started the tour with some apprehension, because it was the first time he had traveled to Africa. In spite of this, he stressed that he left with a heavy heart, thinking of the people and the brothers and sisters he leaves behind on this continent.
He also emphasized that he felt fortunate and blessed by God for having had the opportunity to live this unique and wonderful experience. He expressed his opinion that Africa is a land to fall in love with and admitted that he will need time to assimilate what he has experienced and draw his conclusions.
The Prior General also emphasized that he has learned a lot from people who have very little but know how to be happy and generous and share. Also, that he returned satisfied, full and full of “everything”. He confessed that God had spoken to them in many ways through the African people.
Finally, he asked for prayers that the recollection may be fruitful and that the Augustinian Recollect presence in the continent may be maintained. He also asked for prayers for the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of the Kenyan monasteries of Lodwar and Wote. He concluded his speech by acknowledging how proud he was to see how much the friars are loved, the prestige they enjoy and the love and affection they receive in these African lands.
