For five weeks, ten friars in simple vows will live a time of formation and discernment in Bogotá and Ráquira, accompanied by the General Secretariat for Formation of the Order.
A decisive step in the following of Christ
As it does every year, the General Secretariat for Initial Formation of the Order of Augustinian Recollects has convoked the Course of Immediate Preparation for Solemn Profession, a privileged space to deepen the religious vocation before taking the definitive step in the consecrated life.This is a privileged space to deepen one’s religious vocation before taking the definitive step into the consecrated life.
This 2025, ten friars in simple vows from the Philippines, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Costa Rica have gathered in Bogota (Colombia). Bogota (Colombia) to participate in this meeting, which will last for a month and a half.
“With joy and responsibility, we welcome this time as an opportunity to renew our yes to God in Augustinian Recollect life,” they said at the beginning of the meeting.
Formation, community and charism
The course will be held in two locations: the parish of Our Lady of Consolation, in Bogotá, and the convent of Desierto de la Candelaria, in Ráquira, a place of deep spirituality for the Augustinian Recollect family.
The participants belong to three religious provinces of the Order: St. Nicholas of Tolentine, St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Ezekiel Moreno. They are Friars Tiago Ribeiro de Araújo, Ednando Ribeiro Lima, Bernal Guerrero Sandi, Juan Carlos Palacios, Welton Cardoso Cavallini, Rodrigo Mauricio Madrid, Deyson Pérez Silva, Marcelo Bragatto, Helfrid Dagle Palmis and Neil Robert Makilan Alilain.
Danilo Janegitz, Fr. Jhon Eduard Olarte, Fr. Kenneth Onda and Fr. Fabián Martín, the latter, president of the General Secretariat of Formation and General Councilor, who are in charge of most of the formations and coordinate the workshops on the Augustinian Recollect charism.
An experience that unites generations
The course officially began on Saturday, July 19, with a fraternal presentation and a time of prayer. That same day, in the afternoon, the participants joined in the celebration of the 30 years of the Augustinian Recollect Youth in the parish of the Immaculate Conception in Suba, in an atmosphere of joy and belonging.
On Sunday the 20th, they shared a day together with young people in the process of vocational discernment and visited the monastery of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of contemplative life, where they celebrated the Eucharist with vespers and shared a fraternal dinner.
Preparing to say “yes” for good
This course is not only a formative moment, but also an interior journey of listening, discernment and confirmation of the call received. The experience of the desert, the close accompaniment of the formators and the community life invite the participants to embrace consecration with freedom and maturity.
From the Augustinian Recollect family, we accompany with prayer and affection these brothers who are preparing to give their lives definitively to the Lord. May St. Augustine and St. Monica guide them, and may their shared faith encourage them to respond with courage:
“You have called me, Lord; here I am to do your will.”