In the General Chapter of the Augustinian Recollects in 2022, the need to animate and collaborate in various ministries was reaffirmed, among them the International Networks: ARCORES, EDUCAR and CEAR-ALLIANCE. In the year 2024, in order to deepen the development of Augustinian experiences of God, our Inner Master, in His infinite mercy, gave us the opportunity to participate in the formation course given by In Imum Cordis for Coordinators and Facilitators of Augustinian Spiritual Exercises. This course allowed us, at the end of it, to share with brothers from different countries some very enriching days, full of spirituality, formation and Augustinian community life.
With a restless heart, we held a new edition of the Augustinian Youth Easter Retreat, where many young people and adults experienced our community charism, living deeply the Easter Triduum.
Later, in preparation to live a new Pentecost, we held the second edition of the RevitalizAR Retreat, entitled “Pay attention to your thirst”. More than 150 brothers and sisters from our vicariate in Argentina, together with guests from different dioceses, enjoyed moments of learning, spirituality and community, revitalizing our souls, spirit and heart to continue walking towards Him.
At the Mar del Plata headquarters, throughout the year, we continue transforming stories through the Augustinian Breakfasts, centered on the Bible, and touching hearts with the Casiciaco Retreat for Adults.
In October, we supported the Order’s mission in the city of Cafayate, in the province of Salta, prelature under the care of Fr. Dario Quintana. There we not only accompanied the youth in the planning of the summer mission, but also had the opportunity to offer talks and reflections to couples about family and prayer.
On the other hand, we continue to network with the ARCs of our Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, sharing experiences and fostering growth. In addition, we continue to participate in the Augustinian Days of Prayer, which are now held on a monthly basis with the CEARs of the entire Order. This helps us to share a life that enriches our community, our charism and the Augustinian spirit.
We closed the year preparing to receive our Lord again with an Advent Retreat and projecting a new project in the area of human growth, to be called DialogAR, for the Centenary of the Vicariate of Argentina in 2025.
“Do not stay on the way, do not turn back, do not go out of the way. He who does not go forward goes backward; he who abandons faith loses the way… the lame man is safer on the way than out of it.”
Because we are pilgrims and beggars of her mercy, we entrust ourselves to Mary of Consolation, giving thanks for what we have done and asking her to continue accompanying and blessing us.
*Article written by Andrea and Marcelo De Biase, directors CEAR Argentina, for the 2024 Yearbook.