From June 23-29, Rome hosted the General Assembly of ARCORES International, an event that this year took on a special dimension as it was held within the framework of the Jubilee of Hope. Coinciding with this occasion, ARCORES wanted to experience its own “Jubilee of Solidarity”, bringing together 22 representatives of the various national ARCORES and the international office, 
from Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Spain, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Italy. A plural and committed representation that evidenced the international and fraternal character of the network.
In a message sent to Assembly participants, Fr. Miguel Ángel Hernández, Prior General of the Order He stressed that “the solidarity we promote in ARCORES is not just an isolated action, but a profound expression of our identity as a community of brothers and sisters. From Peru, where he was visiting, he encouraged the participants to continue being “Samaritans who get off their horses… to pour the balm of mercy and compassion on the wounds of the disinherited of this earth.
During the week, the Assembly approved the action plan and budget for 2025, as well as the renewal of its Board of Directors. One of the main milestones was the approval of the new organizational model, the result of a joint process among all the national ARCORES. As Javier Sánchez, executive director, explained, this model “covers the entire organizational space, from economic management to the care of volunteers, and the best thing is that it is ours: we have decided it among all of us”.
Another particularly significant moment was the institution of the “Sister Cleusa” International Volunteer Award, which seeks to recognize the witness of those who embody the values of humility, communion and dedication.
“We want to make visible models of life dedicated to others, such as that of Sister Cleusa, an Augustinian Recollect missionary and a reference of commitment to human rights,” said Sanchez.
The President of ARCORES International, Fr. Jaazeal Jakosalem He emphasized the sense of communion that has marked the Assembly:
“We have come together to walk together as an international network, in line with the Church and the Order, and to respond to the social challenges that challenge our mission: justice, peace and the integrity of creation”.
From Brazil, Simón Puertas one of the driving forces behind ARCORES from its origins, shared his emotion for what he had experienced: “It is a grace, a gift from God to be able to see us gathered together, how dreams are becoming a reality, how we are giving more real answers from our charismatic reality…. Arcores was born to be a response to the Gospel, in the social field, and it is becoming an important reality”. Recalling the words of Pope Francis, he added:
“Our first mission is to save lives… and we live in contexts where there really are people who are losing their lives; we cannot be indifferent in the face of all that.”
In this spirit, the Assembly included a Jubilee Mass at the Camillian Children’s Hospital, a formative workshop on migration led by Cardinal Fabio Baggio C.S., and a Jubilee pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica, lived as authentic moments of ecclesial and spiritual communion.
Sister Olga Lucia Perez, Superior General of the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters He also sent a message in which he thanked ARCORES for its work and encouraged it to continue to support “a solidarity that is born of the Gospel and becomes a channel of hope for the poorest and most forgotten”.
With the motto “Inspiring the world, driven by love,” ARCORES continues its journey as a global network that transforms lives and moves hearts, convinced that hope is sown in community and flourishes where there is commitment, faith and justice.