On July 27, 2024, the third edition of the “Casiciaco Dialogues” took place, a space for reflection and dialogue promoted by the Order to address current issues from the perspective of the Augustinian charism.
After two editions in which we reflected on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and contemplative life in the 21st century, the conversation of this edition focused on the fruits of two great encounters that marked 2023: World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon and the First Augustinian Recollect Youth Synod, as well as WYDAR in Salamanca.
Under the title ‘One year after the JAR Synod and the JMJAR: fruits, challenges and hopes’, this edition counted with the participation of young people from theAugustinian Recollect Youth. Augustinian Recollect Youth (Augustinian Recollect Youth) from different parts of the world, who shared their experiences, challenges and hopes after participating in these events.
On this occasion, the meeting was moderated by the communicator and member of the JAR, Kimberly Morales.
The speakers were
Blanca Antolín, from Granada (Spain), teacher of early childhood education, member of the JAR since she was 12 years old and member of the community of San Ezequiel Moreno;
Sheila Flores, from the Philippines, a junior research analyst at the University of the Philippines and a member of the JAR for four years;
Joaquin Tevez, from Argentina, coordinator of the educational pastoral of one of the Augustinian schools of the Order and with 12 years of experience within the Augustinian Recollect Augustinian Recollect Youth;
Livia da Silva, from Brazil, joined the Augustinian Recollect Youth in 2015 and today is the local coordinator and member of the national Augustinian Recollect Youth council; and Fr. Ismael XurucHe is a general councilor of the Order and advisor to the Augustinian Recollect Youth International (ARYI) who has been working with the Augustinian Recollect Youth since 2008.
During her speeches, Sheila highlighted the importance of the multicultural connection experienced during WYD.
She expressed how the event allowed her to bring a message of hope and unity to her country: We realized that, now more than ever, we can be Augustinian Recollects each in our own way, each in our own way of being.
The Augustinian Recollect charism is something that you have to live within who you are, what God has put in your life.
Livia, from Brazil, highlighted the impact of the 1st JAR Synod on the reorganization of the national council in her country: The JAR Synod was a milestone for all the JAR communities in Brazil.
We were able to form our National Council, which is something that clearly did not exist before, and all this was thanks to the Synod and the decisions we made there.
It was very important for us, because of this space for dialogue and all these decisions to better structure the RAY.
Space for dialogue
Livia also emphasized that this first big step towards change in Brazil allowed a greater connection between the local communities, despite the great distances: Brazil is a continental country, so it is very difficult to bring together all the realities. Today we have much more openness to talk with our brothers and sisters, we have much more intimacy to make this exchange.
Blanca, representative from Spain, reflected on the value of listening to and sharing the local realities of each JAR community.
She explained that this enriches and strengthens the movement globally, highlighting the importance of diversity within unity: It is important that each one lives the Augustinian Recollect charism within his own reality and possibilities.
As St. Augustine said: ‘Know thyself, accept thyself, overcome thyself’.
What we have learned from this experience is that God calls us as we are, not as we think we should be.
For Joaquin these encounters were very nice and revealing, because it helps you realize the magnitude of the movement, the number of young people who are like you, not only as a follower of Christ, but as a follower of Christ in the style of St. Augustine.
And he confessed that he has often thought about what defines this movement, what makes us different: This charism is not just a couple of little things that are said, but it is really a way of life and you can take it to your own life beyond being or not being in the parish or in a retreat. In your daily life you can live these distinctive notes in depth.
“No challenge can stop us when we have the desire to serve the Lord.”
During conversations, Fr. Ismael emphasized the need to continue working on the key points that emerged from the Synod.
He stressed the importance of integrating the diverse youth realities and adapting to contemporary challenges: For me, no challenge can stop us when we have the desire to serve the Lord. We have all been given talents, gifts and opportunities to serve the Lord through his people.
The participants agreed that the experience lived at WYDAR and WYD in Lisbonwas a source of inspiration. Sheila mentioned that it was crucial for her community to understand that being an Augustinian Recollect is something that is lived within the individuality of each person: We realized that, now more than ever, we can be Augustinian Recollects each one in our own way, each one in our own way of being.
Challenges and opportunities for the future
In closing, Livia shared a reflection on the importance of not letting the passion for movement die out: When we return to our reality, we are still enthusiastic, we still have that passion alive, but over time we tend to let it weaken.
May we remember these moments, but above all, may we also promote these moments in our communities, in our localities.
Because our community, our core, is the most important thing.
The day concluded with a call to all the Augustinian Recollect youth of the world to keep alive the spirit of these encounters and to continue working with creativity and fraternity to be witnesses of the Gospel.
In addition, the importance of perseverance in the midst of difficulties was emphasized, recalling that daily commitment is fundamental for the success of these great events.