Nestled in the mountains of Ráquira, Boyacá, the Candelaria Desert is more than a spiritual refuge. This 2024, the Augustinian Recollects celebrate 420 years of the emergence of this charism in this emblematic place, where men moved by the desire for a more secluded life and austerity gave birth to a community lifestyle under the guidance of Mateo Delgado.
The house, which today houses the novitiate of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria, continues to be a place where young people from different countries are formed in the Augustinian Recollect spirit. Fr. Hector Manuel Calderon, novice master, describes this year as “an intense stage of interiority, prayer and community life”. According to Calderon, the novitiate is “a time to live the contemplative charism of St. Augustine, deepening the knowledge of religious life and the role that each one has within the Church”.
For the novices, this experience is transforming. Samir Francisco, originally from Melgar, Tolima, emphasizes that “it has been a year to thank God for life and to recognize that, despite our limitations, God wants us to be happy at his feet”. Victor, from Guatemala, highlights the importance of “sharing life in community and knowing oneself while living the Augustinian Recollect charism”.
The place also has historical significance. “Here was the birth of the Augustinian Recollection in America and, centuries later, it was the place where St. Ezekiel Moreno worked for the renewal of religious life,” Calderon points out.
The serene environment of the Desert favors personal and community encounters. José Armando, another Guatemalan novice, describes this year as “a process of change and cultural enrichment. Juan David, a Colombian, adds: “It is a place far from the hustle and bustle of the cities, conducive to prayer and the cultivation of the interior life, as St. Augustine taught us.
Throughout the year, the novices participate in intensive courses that deepen their understanding of the charism of the Order and strengthen their spiritual life. However, what stands out most in this stage is community life. “Experiences are not lived alone, they are shared with the brothers. That is the richness of our charism,” concludes Calderón.
Desierto de la Candelaria continues to be a spiritual beacon and a reminder of the Augustinian Recollect heritage, which remains alive and relevant for current and future generations.
