The Eternal City witnessed the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Augustinian Recollect Youth (Augustinian Recollect Youth). Within the framework of the Jubilee of the Youth, the different groups of the Augustinian Recollect Youth participating in the Jubilee of the Youth gathered in one of the churches of the Order in Rome to experience together the Eucharist, share fraternity and renew their commitment to journey as an Augustinian Recollect Family.
The Holy Mass, celebrated on Saturday, August 2, in the Church of St. Ildefonso and St. Thomas of Villanova (Via Sistina, 11), was presided over by Fr. Fernando Ferreira, assistant of the RAY in Argentina, who encouraged the young people to be witnesses of hope in a world thirsty for authenticity and dedication. Javier Monroy, prior of the community of the International College, and the Augustinian Recollect religious who accompany the youth groups in their respective countries concelebrated with him.
During the celebration, the family spirit that characterizes the Augustinian Recollect Youth was in the air. The songs, prayers and gestures of communion reflected the diversity and richness of a charism that continues to live in the hearts of young people.
Prior General’s message to young people: “Hope does not disappoint”.
Although physically absent due to commitments outside of Rome, the Prior General of the Order, Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez, delivered a message of closeness and encouragement to the young people. His words, received with emotion by those present, were a true echo of the Jubilee spirit:
“I am accompanying from a distance their presence at the Jubilee, I was surprised by the size of the group and I am very proud of them. Thank them on my behalf for their ‘yes’, for their generosity, for their joy, for their testimony and for their commitment.
May this Jubilee be a moment of renewal for the RAY on its 30th anniversary, and may they keep this moment they are living in their hearts for when moments of difficulty come, and always remember that faith must be cultivated, and it will not always be spring with its flowers or summer with its fruits. Faith also needs to suffer the frosts and cold of winter, and the pruning and loss of leaves and branches in autumn.
Put your hope in Christ and you will never be disappointed, because hope does not disappoint. Courage, boys and girls, courage, young people.
Keep on betting on Christ and live your faith in community of brothers, as Augustinian Recollects that you are. God bless you.”
These words resonated as a mandate of hope and perseverance in the hearts of young people, called to be courageous disciples in times of uncertainty.
An anniversary that is a starting point
The celebration of this 30th anniversary has not only been a moment of grateful memory, but also an impulse towards the future. The RAY, born as a youth pastoral project within the Order, continues to be today a privileged space where young people find a path of faith, service and community in the Augustinian Recollect style.
Rome and the Jubilee of the Youth were the perfect setting for renewing the enthusiasm and mission of the Augustinian Recollect Youth. As Fr. Fernando Ferreira recalled in his homily, “the RAY is a dream of God that continues to be written with the life of each young person who dares to say ‘yes'”.
At the end of the celebration, the young people began their journey to Tor Vergata, where on Saturday night the Vigil with Pope Leo XIV will take place. On Sunday, in the same place, there will be the celebration of the closing Mass, which will send thousands of young people to continue being witnesses of Jesus in the world, knowing that “hope does not disappoint”.