On October 18, 19 and 20, within the framework of the feast of St. Magdalene of Nagasaki, patroness of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternities (FSAR), about 65 lay people from all over Spain gathered at the House of Spirituality of Christ of El Pardo, near Madrid, to participate in the X National Meeting and Assembly of the Secular Fraternities of Spain.
This assembly, which is held every three years, has as its main objective the meeting of friars scattered throughout Spain, sharing life and faith, as well as receiving formation, discerning new challenges and defining strategies to continue advancing along the path of the fraternities. During the event, the participants prayed, sang, danced and shared their experiences, all in an atmosphere of fraternity and communion.
The theme of reflection for this meeting was the missionary dimension of the Augustinian Recollect charism, under the motto “Missionaries of the Kingdom”. 
The training sessions helped the participants to understand that beyond having a mission, “we are a mission” in this world. Group work allowed the participants to express their sensitivity to the mission, their commitment to solidarity and their active participation in projects that seek to extend charity to those most in need. 
In all this, the inspiration of ARCORES (Augustinian Recollect International Solidarity Network) and its social projects, in which the FSAR is very present, was very present.
On the afternoon of the 19th, a solemn Eucharist was celebrated in honor of St. Magdalene of Nagasaki, presided over by Friar Carlos Gonzalez, Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, accompanied by the Vicar of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. 
Religious from the communities in and around Madrid, including the Vicar of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria in Spain, as well as spiritual assistants from the secular fraternities, also participated in the meeting. Fabian Martin, General Councilor of the Order and liaison of the FSAR with the General Government, also participated in the meeting.
On Sunday, a group of women from the Chinese Chaplaincy of St. Rita Parish in Madrid presented a dance entitled “The love of God is always with us”. These women will soon begin their probationary year to form a FSAR within the chaplaincy, and were joyfully received by the participants, who welcomed them into the Augustinian Recollect family.
During the final assembly, the National Council elected for the period 2021-2024 presented its work report, clarified doubts and listened to the concerns of the fraternal members. Then, the election of the new National Council was held, in accordance with the statutes. Maricela Valles, from the FSAR of the Parish of Our Lady of Buenavista of Getafe, Madrid, was reelected as president for the period 2024-2027. The councilors elected were Arancha Toro De Federico, from the FSAR of St. Thomas of Villanova (Granada), as councilor for the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, and Miguel Porras, from the FSAR of Our Lady of Buenavista (Getafe), for the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentino.
The meeting concluded with a festive meal, followed by participation in the closing Eucharist of the centenary of the mission in China of the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, celebrated in the Parish of St. Rita in Madrid in the context of World Mission Sunday.
