Since 2018, the Spanish religious Alfonso Lazaro has dedicated his life to service in the confines of the Amazon, specifically in the town of Pauini, on the banks of the Purus River and where the Church of St. Augustine is located, the first founded by the Augustinian Recollects in this region.
Precisely, the Parish of St. Augustine celebrates its 75th anniversary this year 2024. We are celebrating 75 years as a parish and 75 years of being blessed with the presence of the Augustinian Recollect friars here in Pauini. The friars have been instrumental in the development and spiritual formation of the community since its inception and over the years have overcome countless challenges to keep the Catholic faith alive.
Fr. Mario Sabino and points to his testimony as an example of the dedication of the friars’ work over the years: to maintain that Christian and Catholic faith left by our first parents is our mission here. Mario Sabino, drowned here in the waters of the Purús one dark night in 1983. His legacy lives on in the memory of the community and in a commemorative plaque in the plaza presided over by St. Augustine.
In addition to their pastoral work, the Augustinian Recollects have founded community centers such as the
Hope Center
which serves at-risk adolescents: The Centro Esperanza is now in its 24th year and was founded to provide special attention to adolescents, most of whom are on the streets. We try to give them human values, cultural and educational values.
Since his adolescence, Fr. Alfonso dreamed of going to the Amazon. A wish inspired by the naturalist Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente: I used to watch Felix on TV in Spain talking about the Amazon. It was a dream that came about when I turned 66. Despite the difficulties of language, climate and cultural adaptation, their commitment to the community is unwavering. His experience as a cook before becoming a friar has served him well in his daily work, and he always remembers that, as St. Teresa said, God is also among the pots and pans.
On this 75th anniversary, the Parish of St. Augustine calls for more courageous friars to join its mission, accompany this great community of faith and contribute to the development of a region that, as Fr. Alfonso, despite its challenges, is rich in spirit and hope. I invite all of you to face this challenge we have here. We are with many shortcomings, but also with a great faith and willingness to serve.