On May 20, the Encounter of Augustinian Recollect Bishops was inaugurated, which will be held until May 25 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The Prior General of the Order, Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez welcomed the participants, urging them to freely express how they see the Order from the perspective of the territories where they live and exercise their ministry, and to make contributions to enrich the missionary dimension of the Order. He also encouraged the bishops emeritus to continue to be models of fraternity in the heart of the Augustinian Recollect communities, sharing their life experience after concluding their service in the portion of the people of God entrusted to them.
The first day took place in an atmosphere of spiritual retreat with a Lectio Divina prepared by Msgr. Darío Rubén Quintana on the role of Mary as Mother of the Church. Msgr. Alejandro Castaño and Mons. Angel San Casimiro prepared a reflection on the renewing role of the Holy Spirit in each of the successors of the Apostles in their mission of shepherding communities thirsty for God’s love with fatherly love.
In the afternoon, the bishops had a fraternal meeting with Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, who presided at the Eucharist. In his homily, he insisted on the beauty of the motherhood of Mary and of the Church, and on the mission of the bishops to make this reality evident in the lives of the faithful.
At the end of the day, Msgr. Eusebio Hernandez offered a reflection on the challenges of fraternal community life in the communities, stressing that the bishops emeritus are an important part of these communities. He recalled that “Community is not a human construct, but an essential part of God’s plan. In the midst of the inevitable differences of daily life, reconciliation and peace must prevail, each one taking on the sorrows and joys of his brother. True fraternity consists in seeing the other as he is, recognizing his great values above his deficiencies and faults. In the end, each brother is always a gift to the community.”
Augustinian Recollect bishops are participating in the Encounter along with the Prior General and several general councilors. The program will focus on prayer, formation, reflection and fraternal sharing. The Augustinian phrase that is guiding the life of the Order during the year 2024 has been taken as the motto for the Encounter: “Do you aspire to great things? Begin with the smallest thing.” (St. Augustine, Sermon 69, 1, 2)
