Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez has visited 15 communities in Spain, highlighting the richness of vocations, fraternal witness and the pastoral challenge of going out to meet those who are far away.
The Prior General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez, has concluded the first part of his visit of renewal to the communities of Spain, framed within his service of accompaniment to the religious of the Order. For several weeks he has visited 15 of the 26 communities present in the country, in an itinerary briefly interrupted by his participation in the Jubilee of Consecrated Life celebrated in Rome.
During this visit, he was able to meet with religious from the three provinces present in Spain: St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Our Lady of Candelaria and St. Thomas of Villanova. “We are quite similar, we are more alike than we think”, says the Prior General.The Prior General said, thanking the warm welcome in all the houses and the fraternal atmosphere experienced.
A Church that needs to go out
One of the key points made by the Prior General was the pastoral challenge in the European context: “I think it is more difficult to work in this mission here in de-Christianized Europe than in Latin America.I think it is more difficult to work in this mission, here in a de-Christianized Europe, than in Latin America”.. He recognizes the effort and attention that the friars dedicate to their communities, but also invites to go a step further:
“We would be lacking in going out. There is no clear evangelization project in most of our parishes.”
Three photographs of hope
During his visit, Friar Michelangelo identified three major areas that reflect the vitality of the Order:
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The houses of formationThe formation houses, with a significant presence of young people: 12 novices in Monteagudo, 15 in Las Rozas, 20 in Orpheus and 19 in Monachil. “It is a picture of hope, of life, of illusion and of gratitude to God who continues to send us vocations”.
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The parishesThey continue to be places of welcome and sacramental service, although they need a greater missionary thrust. “We are lacking in some places to take the step, to be more courageous and to launch ourselves to seek out those who are far away”.
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The schoolsvisiting several centers in Chiclana, Motril, Granada and Guadalajara. He has valued the commitment of the lay management teams: “I see a lot of identification with the charism and a very nice work with the youth. But it is necessary to further strengthen the schools as a platform for evangelization.
Missionary Agenda
After returning to Rome to participate in the USG Assembly and be received by Pope Leo XIV, the Prior General will travel to the Dominican Republic to continue the renewal visit and officially launch the Missionary Year 2026. He also looks forward to sharing Christmas with the friars of Cuba.
With gratitude for what he has experienced and aware of the challenges, Friar Miguel Ángel insists that “working together and bearing witness together” is the way to go. “working together and bearing witness together” is the path is the path that the Order must continue to strengthen in Spain and throughout the world.