For years, the then Bishop of Chiclayo, Msgr. Robert PrevostRobert Prevost, shared life, mission and fraternity with the Augustinian Recollects of Peru. Augustinian Recollects of Peru. Today, as Pope Leo XIV Pope Leo XIVhis figure is magnified without losing the essential: the closeness, simplicity and serene joy of those who know how to walk with others.. A Recollect friar who lived with him shares an interview where he reveals the most human and Augustinian side of the new Pontiff. And he sums it up with a smile: “Even before the conclave I was sending him jokes“.
Friar José Estebas MartÃnez: a missionary among the people
Born in Spain and missionary in Peru for more than 35 years, Fray José Estebas MartÃnezhas been a parish priest, formator, counselor and tireless servant in urban and rural areas of the country. He currently lives in the mission of Chota, where he has accompanied the journey of thousands of Peruvian families and young religious.
With his direct, joyful and deeply pastoral style, Friar José Estebas evokes his closeness to Bishop Prevost not as a privilege, but as something natural:
“He came to our house as a brother. And we would go to the bishopric with the confidence of one who enters a family home.”
A bond of affection and trust
What began as a pastoral collaboration soon became a friendship marked by an Augustinian spirit. friendship marked by the Augustinian spirit: fraternal life, shared joyfraternal life, shared joy, mission in community.
“When we had lunch together, it was a party. I would tell a joke, he would respond with another. We kept doing it: until before the conclave, I still sent him some. I don’t know if he read them, but I sent them to him anyway.”
That humor was not superficial, but an expression of a close relationship, based on trust and mutual esteem. “He knew how to laugh, he knew how to listen. You don’t forget that,” he says.
The shepherd who walked with everyone
Friar Joseph recalls that Bishop Prevost did not limit himself to presiding: He let himself be seen, he got his shoes dirty, he got involved in the realities of the people..
“He supported us in hard times. In the pandemic, he was one of the first responders. He cared about the most vulnerable people. He got oxygen plants, organized collections. And he did it without being in the limelight.”
He also recalls his sensitivity to social conflicts and his commitment to justice and life: “He was committed. In the difficult moments of the country, he spoke clearly, but always with respect. He was not an indifferent bishop”.
“An Augustinian among us”.
Although he belonged to the Order of St. Augustine, Friar José describes him in words that could be applied to any religious in community:
“He had an Augustinian spirit: closeness, simplicity, communion. We understood each other very well. He made our spirituality his own.”
He participated each year in the celebrations of St. Augustine and St. Monica with the Augustinian family, Augustinians and Recollects joined in celebrating together, and he shared meals on feast days and accompanied vocations. accompanied the vocations with joy. vocations with joy. “He was just one more,” he repeats several times.
A memory that today becomes hope
The election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has been a surprise for the world, but a joy for those who met him in Chiclayo. a joy for those who met him in Chiclayo, Peru.. “He is a pastor with a soul. A man of faith who has not lost his smile,” says Friar José.
Today, the friar who used to send jokes to his bishop confesses that he still does not know if he will ever write them again. But he does know something more important:
“The Pope who today guides the Church has not ceased to be our brother. Close, simple, full of God. We feel fortunate to have had him close to us, and now more than ever, to be able to continue walking with him.”
Leo XIV, witness of communion and joy
This discreet and endearing witness reminds us that sanctity begins with closenessby sharing table, words and life. From the Augustinian Recollect family, we give thanks for the history shared with Leo XIVand we pray that the Spirit will continue to make his pontificate a school of communion and hope.