During the month of April, the Prior General, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández, visited the communities and apostolic works of the Vicariate of Argentina, visiting the cities of Buenos Aires, San Andrés, Rosario, Santa Fe and Mar del Plata. An intense month, full of meetings, prayer and community discernment, which has left deep traces in each fraternity and apostolate.
The final stage of this significant visit took place in the community of Mar del Plata where, last Tuesday, April 22, he began the visit with the prayer of the Intermediate Hour, marking a sober beginning and 
spiritually profound. That same day, during the evening Eucharist, he met with the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, whom he encouraged by saying:
“I am very happy to perceive that in Argentina the method of transmitting the charism to our laity in all stages of life has been successful”.
The day concluded with a gesture of ecclesial communion: a fraternal dinner with Bishop Ernesto Giobando, SJ, Bishop of Mar del Plata.
Wednesday, April 23, was dedicated to pastoral education at Colegio San Agustín, where the students offered a colorful cultural display of dances and typical food. Later, in a ceremony full of hope, the inauguration of the new principal and vice principal of the primary level was celebrated. During these meetings, Fr. Miguel Ángel shared:
“I thank God for the fraternity that is lived in all the communities, for the serene and collaborative atmosphere that exists in the Vicariate”.
“I thank God for the fraternity that is lived in all the communities, for the serene and collaborative atmosphere that exists in the Vicariate”.On Thursday, April 24, the Prior General visited the Instituto Antártida Argentina, the second educational center of the Order in Mar del Plata. In the afternoon, the day culminated with discernment meetings with the Pastoral Council and the CEAR, strengthening pastoral co-responsibility.
The meeting with the young people of the Augustinian Recollect Youth on Friday the 25th was a particularly significant moment. Miguel Ángel encouraged the young people to live their faith with enthusiasm and to be a light in the midst of their realities.
Finally, on Saturday, April 26, in an atmosphere of thanksgiving and renewed commitment, the community accompanied the funeral of Pope Francis and, at the Sixth Hour, the religious renewed their vows, thus solemnly closing the renewal visit.
Before his return to Rome, Friar Miguel Angel shared these words, which capture the spirit of the entire journey through Argentinean lands:
“Today in morning prayer I mentally went through each of the six communities visited, I remembered each of the religious and seminarians, I went through in my heart many of the numerous meetings… I thank the Lord for this Centenary of our presence in these Argentinean lands. We have a precious history of dedication, hard work and generosity in the evangelizing mission. I encourage you to live your religious consecration with passion: that would be the best way to celebrate this centenary, walking towards the future as pilgrims of hope.”
“Today in morning prayer I mentally went through each of the six communities visited, I remembered each of the religious and seminarians, I went through in my heart many of the numerous meetings… I thank the Lord for this Centenary of our presence in these Argentinean lands. We have a precious history of dedication, hard work and generosity in the evangelizing mission. I encourage you to live your religious consecration with passion: that would be the best way to celebrate this centenary, walking towards the future as pilgrims of hope.”
With his heart full of gratitude and hope, and his bags packed for the return trip to Rome, the Prior General concluded his visitation on April 28, after a final meeting with the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Msgr. Jorge García Cuerva.