In Monteagudo and Marcilla, more than forty simply professed friars from three Augustinian Recollect provinces participated in the Formation Encounter 2025, with days of prayer, reflection and fraternity.
The annual formation meeting brought together young Augustinian Recollect religious to deepen their charism, history and community life.
From the 2nd to the 17th of August, the simply professed of the provinces of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Saint Thomas of Villanova and Our Lady of Candelaria participated in the Formation Encounter of the Order of Augustinian Recollects 2025. The event began in the novitiate convent of Monteagudo (Navarra), where they accompanied the 12 novices who made their first religious profession as Augustinian Recollects. Afterwards, the group moved to the convent of Marcilla for two weeks of retreat and intensive formation.
Building the “we” from fraternity
Sister Covadonga, from the “Ruah” group, opened the sessions with a reflection on community life. She stressed the importance of building the “we”from fraternity and accompaniment, fostering positive climates and open communication that sustains common life.
The charisma of the recollection today
Enrique Gómez invited us to live the charism of the Recollection as a path that transforms communities into spaces of encounter and healing. He pointed out that the wounds of today’s world can become places where God acts, as long as they are responded to with listening, forgiveness and freedom.
Looking to the past to walk into the future
For his part, Friar Ricardo Corleto delved into the history of the Order in the 19th century, recalling that knowing the past in its entirety is key to understanding the current identity.
“We are children of our history, but not slaves to it,” he said.he stressed.
Fraternity that is lived and shared
“Be of one heart and soul directed toward God.”
The program combined moments of prayer and reflection with community walks, which strengthened the bonds of brotherhood among the provinces. In these, the professed put into practice the Rule of St. Augustine: “Be of one heart and soul directed toward God.”. These spaces strengthened the vocation of each young person and renewed their commitment to the Church and the Order.