After the conclusion of the VII Federal Assembly, Mother Olivia Hernandez Garcia, Federal President of the Federation of Augustinian Recollect Nuns of Mexico, undertook a series of fraternal visits to the monasteries of the country with the purpose of strengthening community ties, introducing the new Federal Council and encouraging reflection on the decisions adopted in the recent ecclesial meeting.
The tour, which included 15 communities in various regions of the country, had as its first destination the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Tula, Hidalgo, from October 22 to 28, 2024. There, in addition to the canonical visitation stipulated by “Cor Orans” (an instruction issued by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life), they took the opportunity to make known the decisions of the Assembly and to renew the Directory of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns. “It was necessary to share and listen to the concerns of the sisters, especially because of their recent integration into the Federation”, commented Mother Olivia.
The next stages of the trip were divided into two rounds. The first, from November 6 to 14, included monasteries in Tula, Tepeyahualco, Puebla, Cuantinchán, Tlaxcala, Mexico City and Papalotla. The second, from December 3-16, covered Ciudad Manuel Doblado, Guanajuato, Morelia, Cuernavaca, Lomas de Tecamachalco, Jalpan de Serra, Ahuacatlan de Jesus and Macuxtepetla, Hidalgo. For the international communities of Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia and Kenya, a virtual meeting was organized on November 5.
Spaces for dialogue and hope
At each meeting, Mother Olivia expressed her gratitude for the prayers of the communities, stressing that “thanks to them, the Holy Spirit was present with his grace and light, allowing the assembly members to elaborate the decisions that we now share”. The dynamic of the meetings favored dialogue, with clear explanations of each decision and space for questions and comments.
The Federal President emphasized the commitment to the implementation of the decisions taken, assigning specific responsibilities and deadlines to guarantee their fulfillment. The message of the Federal Assembly was also read, enriched by the homily of Father General, Fr. Miguel Ángel Hernández Domínguez, OAR, during the opening Eucharist.
Reflections and challenges of the contemplative life
Reflections and challenges of the contemplative lifeThe experience was deeply enriching for Mother Olivia, who emphasized “the wonderful works that the Lord performs in each sister” and the importance of building communities that reflect God’s love and mercy. Her reflection on a biznaga found in the Jalpan de Serra monastery captured the essence of the contemplative life:
“Like the biznaga, our life may seem austere and lonely, but inside it holds a priceless richness. Even if it grows slowly and is not easily accessible, its value lies in its capacity to give life and hope.”
In a context of challenges for religious vocations, Mother Olivia urged to keep open “the doors of the heart” and work on the quality of community life to attract young people willing to live a committed faith. This message takes on special relevance in view of the Jubilee Year 2025, which is shaping up to be a time of grace and renewal for the entire Federation.