The history of the Augustinian Recollect Youth (ARY) began at the end of July 1995, when five friars, with faith, enthusiasm and vision, decided to bet on a new model of youth ministry. Three decades later, their intuition continues to bear fruit in young people around the world who live their faith in community, with a restless heart in search of God.
The dream of a youth community with an Augustinian soul
The history of the Augustinian Recollect Youth began thirty years ago, but its echo is still heard today in young hearts all over the world. “It was at the end of July 1995”, remembers Friar Angel Antonio GarciaÁngel Antonio García, a religious of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, one of the five friars who participated in the foundation.
With deep emotion and simplicity, Friar Ángel relives that day that transformed the youth ministry of the Augustinian Recollect family:
“There was a proposal to create the Augustinian Recollect Youth. We were inspired by the model of the Vincentian Marian Youth, the Vincentians, the Vincentians and the Daughters of Charity. And from there we drew some constitutive notes: an apostolic, missionary, Marian, prayerful and Augustinian community.”
From Monachil to Maraluisa: a decision with a Gospel flavor
The group traveled from Monachil (Granada) to the neighborhood of Maraluisa in Seville. There, among fraternity, discernment and enthusiasm, they gave shape to the new proposal.
“After lunch in a restaurant, we came to the conclusion of what we had been asked to do as a commission. I perfectly remember those days, which were lived with great enthusiasm”.
The group submitted its proposal to the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and to the Provincial, thus marking the birth of a journey that was about to begin. Conscious that they were taking an important step, they left behind the previous experience of the Horizon Fraternity MovementThey opened the doors to something new, broader and more committed.
Community, youth and charisma: the roots of the RAY
Although some details of the founding meeting were not recorded, the seed planted in July 1995 germinated strongly. The JAR were born as a response to a pastoral need and as the fruit of a lived and shared spirituality. Since then, they have grown, multiplied and accompanied entire generations in their journey of faith.
Each choir, each local group, each mission, is a living legacy of that simple and profound intuition: to form young people who live their faith in community, based on the Augustinian Recollect charism.
Thirty years later: gratitude and hope
Today, as we commemorate the 30 years since the founding of the ARBwe look back with gratitude and forward with hope.
We thank the five friars who, with faith and courage, dared to dream of a new path. And we give thanks for all the young people who, since then, have lived the joy of the Gospel in community.
“There is nothing more beautiful than sharing life and faith,” said St. Augustine. And that, precisely, is what the RAY has done during these three decades: to accompany, form and kindle hearts for God.