Last July 28, Sunday, the Eucharist presided by Pope Francis gave a golden finishing touch to the World Youth Day 2013. Next the Pontiff returned to Rome and the World Youth Day of Rio de Janeiro became part of history. A spectacular chapter of faith actively participated in by young people from all over the world ended. From then on, the means of communication will echo the testimony of the Christian young people only in rare occasions.Which does not mean that the faith experience of the young people have banished.
In fact, among the Augustinian Recollects, it is precisely after the World Youth Day that the existence of restless and generous young people is clearly seen. In Spain as well as in other countries where the academic year ends in June, the following months are a season of priestly ordinations and professions of vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
FOREVER
The first have already taken place towards the end of June, on the 29th: in Monachil (Granada, Spain) five young people were ordained deacons (from Argentina, Brazil and Peru) who have made their profession earlier. On July 4 there was a profession in Cartago (Costa Rica). On July 5 and 6, priestly ordination and profession, in Castelo (Brazil). On July 20, two were ordained priests in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). Coinciding with World Youth Day, on July 27, a young Honduran made his solemn profession in Costa Rica. On August 3, a Brazilian was ordained priest in his country. On a Sunday, August 11, two Chinese Augustinian Recollects also made the same thing in Monteagudo (Navarra, Spain). On August 17 this time in the Philippines, three deacons will be ordained. And, finally, a month later, September 14, three Mexicans will do the same in Querétaro (Mexico).
NEW RELIGIOUS
All this youthful vitality dispersed around the world, could be synthesized at the annual feast of Monteagudo (Navarre, Spain), which is none other than the profession of novices. Monteagudo is, it can be said, the Mother House of the Order, which allowed the Augustinian Recollects to survive when all its convents were abolished in the XIX Century. At present, and since many decades ago, it is a Noviciate House, one of the three Novices established by the Order, directly established by the General Curia.
This year the profession has taken place on a Saturday, August 3, during an afternoon Mass. Eight young people, coming from Costa Rica, Brazil, Venezuela and Peru, made their profession.
There were almost 50 Concelebrants, coming from different places; one of them Monsignor Eusebio Hernández, Augustinian Recollect Bishop of the neighboring Diocese of Taragona (Zaragoza). Other religious, the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries, Members of the Secular Fraternity and Friends were also present.
NOVICES
Eight young people who pronounced and signed their commitment of life in chastity, poverty and obedience left Monteagudo in order to undertake their ecclesiastical studies in different places. But the convent in Navarra, where the remains of St. Ezequiel Moreno lie does not remain vacant: a new batch of young people determined to follow Christ start their year of special preparation. And they are not few; the new novices are 17, which more than ever, represents the universality of the Church: 4 Mexicans, 3 Venezuelans. 2 Brazilians, 2 Costaricans and the rest from different countries (Puerto Rico. United States, Peru, Nicaragua, China and Spain).
They share their doubts and hopes with the other 14 Novices of the Order. Seven of them are in El Desierto de la Candelaria (Ráquira, Boyacá, Colombia, the cradle of the American Recollection; 2 of them are Brazilians, and the remaining five are Colombians. And in the third Noviciate of the Order, in the Philippines (Antipolo City), another seven Augustinian Recollect novices are bringing to full growth their vocation, two of which are Nigerians.