On the evening of Monday, April 14, during the recitation of Vespers, the Augustinian Recollect community of Our Lady of Consolation, in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, joyfully received the Prior General, Fr. Miguel Ángel Hernández, who began his fraternal visit. In his opening remarks, he emphasized that “this community has a living history, which this year celebrates its first century of evangelizing presence, service and consecration”.
The visit was presented not as an inspection, but as a gesture of profound fraternity and communion. In his opening remarks, Friar Miguel Angel expressed, “My arrival is not that of a superior who inspects, but that of an older brother who becomes close to accompany, encourage and reaffirm the religious in their daily journey of consecration and pastoral service.” With a warm tone, he invited the religious and lay people present to live these days as a space of “interior and communitarian renewal”, a time of grace to reencounter the charism and the shared mission.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 15, the day continued with the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council (CoPaPa). It was a privileged moment of listening and dialogue, where the Prior General was able to learn first hand about the vitality of the groups and movements that give life to Consolation Parish.
“From liturgical initiatives to social projects, the community has shown itself to be an authentic network of evangelical ferment in the midst of the city.”
Among the apostolates highlighted, special mention was made of the work of ARCORES, the Order’s Solidarity Network, whose presence in the Parish is mainly oriented to accompanying the migrant population, mostly from Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
Through the “Entrepreneurs with Impact” program, training and tools are provided to migrants for the creation of microenterprises, thus facilitating their integration and economic autonomy.
During the meeting, some of the beneficiaries shared their testimonies, telling how the support they received enabled them to transform incipient ideas into concrete, sustainable and job-creating projects. Their words reflected stories of struggle, resilience and hope that touched those present.
“Not only was I able to set up my small business, but now I can also help others who arrive as I did, with nothing but dreams,” said one of the entrepreneurs.
The day concluded in an atmosphere of gratitude and mutual encouragement. Friar Miguel Ángel thanked the living witness of the community and emphasized that “true renewal begins when we allow ourselves to be touched by the concrete stories of our brothers, when the Gospel becomes flesh in the life of the other.”
The visit will continue in the coming days, within the framework of the celebration of Holy Week and Easter, in the same spirit of closeness, listening and renewal of hope.