In July 2023, the new St. Ezekiel Moreno Theologate was inaugurated in Madrid, becoming the formation center for the professed members of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria.
Sra. de la Candelaria Province.
Since then, Spain has hosted three theologates of the Order, one in Granada and two in Madrid.
During the academic year, the religious in temporary vows of the Provinces of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, St. Thomas of Villanova and Our Lady of Candelaria study at the theologates.
Sra. de la Candelaria study at the Faculties of Theology of Comillas (Madrid) and the University of Loyola Andalucia (Granada). 
And it is during the month of August when more than 40 theologians from the three provinces present in Spain meet annually to deepen their knowledge of the history of the Order, as well as Augustinian spirituality and theology.
In addition, these days offer an excellent opportunity for the professed to share weeks of fraternal living together with their formators.
“These days are a necessary complement to the academic studies and to the personal and community accompaniment offered during the academic year”. (Friar Bruno D’Andrea)
Fr. Bruno D’Andrea, master of professed students at the Theologate of Granada, emphasizes that “During the weeks of specific formation, the formandi have a fraternal interprovincial encounter and a time to deepen their knowledge of the history of the Order, the spiritual and pastoral doctrine of St. Augustine, as well as the wisdoms of interiority, fraternity and ecclesiality.
These days constitute a necessary complement to the academic studies and to the personal and community accompaniment offered during the academic year in the houses of formation in Spain.
Likewise, being together for two weeks, we take the opportunity to dedicate a third week to live the Augustinian Spiritual Exercises that the Order proposes each year.
During this experience, we all share the Word of God and try to listen with the ears of the heart to the voice of the inner Master”.
This year’s meeting began on August 6 and is being held at the friary of Marcilla, located in Navarra (Spain).
The participating religious come from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
From the Theologate of St. Ezekiel Moreno (Province of Our Lady of Candelaria) 16 professed friars are participating along with their teacher, Friar Raul Reinoso.
Raul Reinoso.
From the Theologate of St. Augustine (Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine) 13 professed friars are participating, accompanied by their master, Friar Luis Diego Ramirez.
Luis Diego Ramirez.
And from the Theologate of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Province of St. Thomas) 11 professed friars are participating, accompanied by Fr.
Bruno D’Andrea.
Several of the religious in formation are living their missionary experience in other countries or visiting their families and will join the theologates at the end of August.
“There is, clearly, a wealth of experiences and wisdom that are shaped throughout the days of living together.” (Fr. Diego Ramirez)
One of the formators of the Theologate of St. Augustine in Madrid, Fr.
Diego Ramirez, emphasizes that the objectives of this encounter are twofold: “The study of some specific themes of St. Augustine, reviewing also the history of the Order, and to foster interprovincial fraternal sharing. There is, clearly, a wealth of experiences and wisdom that will be reflected throughout the days of sharing. According to the formation plan, this year has focused on the wisdom of interiority along with the spirituality of St. Augustine.”
For the development of these formative meetings, specialists in various topics are invited each year.
During the first week of this year, the theme of interiority was addressed, integrating it with music.
This first experience was accompanied by Friar Carlos Gonzalez, Prior Provincial of the Province.
Carlos Gonzalez, Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine.
During the week, the importance of living from the inner self, relating to the world from within and, following the example of St. Augustine, seeking the experience with the inner Master was emphasized: not going outside, but going inside, connecting with Jesus Master and transcending oneself by going out to meet one’s brother through fraternity.
The first week was also attended by Friar Hugo Sanchez, formator of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
Hugo Sanchez, formator of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
The second week is being guided by Fr.
Enrique Eguiarte, one of the most outstanding Augustinologists of the Order, who is offering guidelines to deepen the spirituality of St. Augustine.
These annual formative meetings are developed with a dynamic methodology, generating dialogue and exchange of experiences.
For Fr.
Raúl Reinoso, “this is a space for fraternity and formation, an opportunity to form ourselves in the elements proper to the charism and the Order. At the same time, it is an occasion to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, sharing our concerns”.
Liturgy, cultural activities, sports and fraternal moments also form the basis of the program of these weeks.
“As sons of St. Augustine, in love with spiritual beauty, we want to continue to deepen our knowledge and our fraternity.” (Fr. Gildo Sousa)
One of the participants, Fr.
Gildo Sousa, summarized his experience saying: “As sons of St. Augustine, in love with spiritual beauty, we want to continue to deepen our knowledge and our fraternity, joyfully carrying out our religious consecration in the following of Jesus, Way, Truth and Life. In the richness of cultures, since we are from different countries, we continue to affirm that it is worthwhile to give our lives for Christ”.