From the 15th to the 17th of November, the city of Maracaibo became the scene of the VII National Encounter of Augustinian Recollect Youth (ENJAR) of Venezuela. With the Augustinian motto “I meet you in order to continue searching for you” (De Trinitate 15,2,2), the event gathered 230 young people from different ARYR communities of the country, in an atmosphere full of faith, fraternity and spiritual renewal.
The Santa Rita Schoolwith the support of the JAR communities of Maracaibo and the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sistershosted this meeting, which sought to be a transforming experience for its participants.
During the inauguration Eucharist, the Vicar of Venezuela, Fr. Eddy PoloHe addressed some emotional words to the young people: “Boys, you are strong, and I’m not just referring to the physical aspect, but to that inner strength that is the richness of a young heart.”
“Many souls in one heart beating for Him.”
ENJAR 2024 left deep traces in the hearts of its participants. Geraldine Meléndez, from the JAR Santísima Trinidad community, shared her experience: “This ENJAR was full of wonderful moments, from the visit of the replica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira to the beautiful adoration at the feet of the Lord, uniting many souls in one heart beating for Him. Connecting with so many young people who are still searching for Jesus motivates me to continue walking. I reaffirm that being Augustinian Recollects is for life, because, as the motto of the meeting says, we always find the Master to keep looking for Him inside”. .
“I find you to keep looking for you.”
The motto of this edition, “I find you in order to continue searching for you”, inspired by the work De Trinitate of St. Augustineinspired by St. Augustine’s De Trinitate, invites us to live the constant search for God as a never-ending journey. This premise was the basis for moments of prayer, reflection and sharing, designed to deepen our understanding of the divine mystery and remind us that the encounter with Christ impels us to continue seeking him with renewed love.
“I felt my heart full.”
The ENJAR, which was born in 2006 under the organization of the former province of San José, is held every three years and has become a reference for young RAY from all over Venezuela.
In this sense, the VII ENJAR meeting strengthened the identity and commitment of the Augustinian Recollect Youth of Venezuela, and consolidated itself as a more united community which, as its participants explained, renewed its spirituality and strengthened its purpose of following Christ “with one soul and one heart”.
José Medina, from the JAR Santa Rosa, said that “it was his turn to serve as a volunteer and I asked God to be able to give everything so that my brothers and sisters could have an unforgettable ENJAR. I am left with the hope that our JAR has a present, but also a future, and that God moves our hearts to continue looking for Him, in spite of the adversities”.
Andrea Viloria, also from the JAR Santísima Trinidad community, added: “I felt my heart full to see so many young people happy to meet and share. I was thrilled that the centers that visited us took a little bit of our Marabino culture with them. I definitely want to live the experience of the next ENJAR!” .