The city of Rome has become this week the scene of the meeting of those responsible for communication of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, who have gathered with the aim of strengthening and unifying the communication efforts of the Order. The event, which runs from January 20-26, is structured in three stages: a meeting of communication teams, a formation seminar, and the celebration of the Jubilee of Communication.
During the first few days, the communication managers of the different provinces met at the Pontifical Gregorian University and shared reports and presentations to analyze the local and global realities of the Order. They also began the elaboration of a Communication Plan for 2025 with the intention of having common objectives and establishing concrete strategies for the current challenges, especially in the digital sphere. Likewise, the Style and Identity Manual has been revised and new digital evangelization projects have been analyzed.
A highlight of the conference was the use of the Lego Serious Play methodology. Lego Serious Playmethodology, which allowed participants to explore their ideas and creativity using Lego pieces. This dynamic exercise has not only facilitated the visualization of strengths and opportunities, but has also generated a great collaborative environment.
The coordinator of the activity was one of the members of the communication team of the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Fr. Alfonso LomelíHe explained that this method helps to unlock creativity and connect ideas: “What seems like a simple game becomes a powerful tool for
to imagine how we want to communicate our mission in the digital world and in our communities. In addition, the conclusions of this activity were presented to the Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication, Monsignor Lucio Ruiz.
During these days the participants met the journalist and correspondent Javier Martínez-Brocal and Opus Dei’s communications officers, Jaime Cárdenas and Juan Narbona. They shared their experience and the ways in which they coordinate and organize their presence in the world.
The Prior General, Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandezjoined the meeting and emphasized that “the heart of our communicative work must always be Christ. It is not only about strategies or tools, but to remain faithful to our mission: to be witnesses of the Gospel and to transmit the Augustinian Recollect charism to the world…To bring hope and the message of Jesus to every corner, especially in the digital roads we travel today”.
The participants agreed on the importance of these days of work. For Claudia Bórquez, from the communications team of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria, the meeting has been a highly motivating experience:
“I take away the message that what we have worked on here must be replicated in our communities. We have generated a global commitment that will strengthen our mission as an Order.”
Harold La Cruz, from the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, highlighted the richness of the exchange of experiences and tools: “Knowing the strengths of the other provinces enriches us all and encourages us to walk together. The Lego dynamic was especially useful for freeing creativity and generating concrete ideas.”
The meeting is now heading towards its last two stages: the training seminar at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, organized by the Facoltà di Comunicazione Istituzionale, and the celebration of the Jubilee of Communication.