The first of these celebrations (all of which can be found described in detail on the web page https://www.satovi.org/4centenariogranada) was a conference on the first Augustinian Recollect monastery in Granada, presented by Father Antonio Álvarez at the historic Monastery of Corpus Christi.
Among the large crowd attending the conference were Augustinian Recollect frirars, Secular Augustinian Recollects, Augustinian Recollect Youth, students of Saint Thomas of Villanova College, and special guests Father José Ramón Pérez, vicar general of the Order, and the priors provincial of the provinces of Saint Thomas, Saint Nicholas, and Saint Joseph
Beginnings in 1603
The Augustinian Recollects took the inistial steps for the foundation of the monastery in Granada in 1603. King Philip III sent a letter on May 16 of that year to the Archbishop of Granada, notifying him of the desire of the Augustinian Recollects to found a monastery in that city. In his conference Father Antonio Álvarez recounted those beginnings and the ups and downs of the process up to the foundation of the monastery.
Following the historical conference, the vicar general of the Order presided at the celebration of the Eucharist. In his homily he spoke about the labor of so many men and women religious who for four centuries have given continuity to the Recollection in Granada, emphasizing the richness of the Augustinian Recollect life and charism. The student choir of Saint Thomas of Villanova College enhanced the clebration with song.
At the conclusion of this initial celebration of the Fourth Centenary of Augustinian Recollect presence and ministry in Granada, all those present prayed in chorus the special prayer composed for the Centenary:
O God, generous Father:
Your loving and constant presence
has accopanied us throughout these four hundred years
in this city of Granada.
Your beauty and your kindness
make us desire you more and more.
The love of your Son Jesus Christ
has called fourth numerous brothers and sisters,
servants of the Church,
and your Spirit
has worked marvels
of holiness among us.
For all of this,
the Augustinian Recollection in Granada
bursts forth in a hymn of thanksgiving.
Thank you for so many men and women:
pastors, evangelizers, mystics,
educators and missionaries,
brothers and sisters of simple and committed life.
Thank you for our young vocations, our treasure and our hope.
Thank you for our elder religious, examples of fidelity and commitment.
Thank you for so many brothers and sisters
who live close to us.
We beg you to nourish in us
the hope of always feeling
that we are under your protection.
Guard us and encourage us.
Help us to be witnesses of the love
of your servant Saint Thomas of Villanova,
in our love for the Church, for the poor,
in our warm and tender devotion to the Virgin Mary,
Mother of Consolation and Mother of the Distressed.
Guide our restless steps toward your peace,
the peace of the City of God,
in which we will finally rest and see your face;
we will see you and we will love you;
we will love you and we will praise you eternally.
Amen.