The Prior Provincials and the Prior General of the Augustinian Recollects share their impressions at the closing of the first Encounter of the Augustinian Recollect Family. Unity, synodality and hope mark the common path towards the future of the Augustinian Recollect charism.
The chapel of St. Pius X, in the heart of St. Peter’s Basilica, was the setting where 
pronounced the final words of thanksgiving and sending forth after the historic Encounter of the Augustinian Recollect Family. For six days, representatives of all the branches of this great religious family shared moments of reflection, prayer and communion, with the objective of journeying together towards a renewed living of the Augustinian Recollect charism.
Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez, Prior General of the Order, expressed with emotion: “We have lived synodality as a family, we have strengthened bonds, we have listened to each other, we have felt the needs of one another, and we have understood that together we are stronger”. He underlined that this 
encounter has been a moment of grace and gratitude, and that “the fruits should be felt in the whole Augustinian Recollect Family”.
José David Niño, Prior Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria, emphasized that this meeting has been a true Easter experience:
“We return to our countries to preach that the Risen Christ is the meaning of our lives. 
He invited to be guided by the Virgin Mary under the invocations proper of the Order to carry out the commitments assumed.
Friar Bernard Amparado, Prior Provincial of St. Ezekiel Moreno, referred to the encounter as “a great hope that I take with me to the places where we serve”. He assured that in the midst of differences, Augustinian fraternity prevailed, recalling the words of St. Augustine and the call of the Jubilee: to be pilgrims sowers of hope.
Carlos Gonzalez, Prior Provincial of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, also emphasized the Jubilee dimension of this experience: “This Jubilee year 
does not happen so often, and God has blessed us by allowing us to live it as a family.
He added that the graces received are not only for the participants, “but for all the people we serve. The blessings we have received will also be for them”.
Finally, Friar Javier Tello, Prior Provincial of St. Thomas of Villanova, offered a clear image of the spirit of the meeting: “If this meeting has taught us anything, it is that, being different pieces, of different sizes, colors and languages, we can continue to build ourselves as one family. He called for fidelity to the charism and commitment to the Church:
“May we be what we proclaim: one soul and one heart.”
With emotion and gratitude, the major superiors symbolically placed the fruits of this encounter at the feet of St. Peter, asking for the intercession of the apostle and trusting that this experience will continue to give life to all the presences of the Augustinian Recollect family in the world.