Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez, Prior General of the Augustinian Recollects, shared with emotion and gratitude his experience in the recent visit of renewal to the Vicariate of Peru. A trip that, beyond the institutional meetings, has been an authentic school of life.
A simple and faithful vicarage
“The Vicariate of Peru is a small, well-constituted vicariate, where religious life is very well established,” explained the Prior General in an interview at the conclusion of his visit, explained the Prior General in the interview he gave at the conclusion of his visit. “The observance is very large, thanks be to God, and the community life has its spaces”.
The Prior General’s agenda included meetings with the communities, the JAR, the FSAR, the pastoral councils, ARCORES, the CEAR, seminarians, professors and the administrative teams of the Augustinian schools. Miguel Angel stopped to listen, to get to know and to encourage. And it was there, in that close contact, where he found the greatest value of the trip.
Listening and being listened to
“The secretary general did not accompany me for health reasons, and the one who accompanied me was Monsignor Emiliano Cisneros. It was also a gift from God,” he says. Details like these, of fraternal humility and absolute availability, set the tone of the visit.
I don’t come as a prosecutor,” he says, “but as an older brother. I value very much the contact with the people. I bring with me a good knowledge of what the Vicariate of Peru is… but even more, I bring with me the affection, pride and love of so many people for our Augustinian Recollect community”.
Chota and the mark of a faithful delivery
One of the most memorable moments was the stay in Chota: “There, the Augustinian Recollects are synonymous with prestige, work well done, dedication and evangelization. Chota and the Augustinian Recollects is a marriage forever”.
He remembers with gratitude the affection he received everywhere:
“I knew it wasn’t for Friar Michelangelo, it was for what I represent. And what I represent is the Order.”
A visit that renews
Father General confesses that he comes away renewed from the visit: “The contact with the people, simple, good, generous, who despite their needs continue to contribute their grain of sand, is what gives me wings”.
In Pachacámac, for example, he shared a meeting with the children sponsored by ARCORES and with the volunteers who, being also humble people, dedicate their lives to helping those most in need.
“That selflessness, that solidarity, is what I take with me from Peru,” he says.he says.
A life lesson
Friar Michelangelo concludes with words that say it all:
“Every renovation visit is a school for me. I meet wonderful people who teach me not theories, but experiences. Their way of loving God, their neighbor, the Order… it edifies me. Perhaps the one who comes out of the visitation most renewed is me.
A story that renews hope and shows how religious life, when lived with humility and closeness, can continue to transform hearts.