From January 23 to February 4, the Augustinian Recollect Youth (JAR) of the Vicariate of Argentina carried out an intense mission in Cafayate, as part of an initiative to accompany the ministry of the Augustinian Recollect Bishop Dario Ruben Quintana.
About 30 young people from different communities of the Vicariate of Argentina participated in this experience of faith and service, accompanied by the religious Ricardo Catete and Fernando Ferreira. Under the motto “Missionaries of Hope”, the young missionaries lived these days dedicated to prayer, fraternity and apostolate, fundamental pillars of the Augustinian charism.
During their stay, they carried out various evangelization and solidarity activities. They visited Los Módulos and El Divisadero neighborhoods, the local hospital and the home for the elderly. In addition, they collaborated with charitable tasks in the picnic area and in the little basketball school, bringing support and joy to children and senior citizens. Their message transcended the physical spaces through radio, television and social networks, using all possible means to spread their evangelizing mission.
The “missionaries of hope” highlighted the climate of fraternity and hospitality experienced in Cafayate, expressing their gratitude and the desire to continue to be present in a spiritual way in the community.
The organizing team and the young people thanked Monsignor Quintana for his welcome and support, as well as the Order for making this transforming experience possible. They also extended their gratitude to the Primate of Argentina and Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Cardinal Vicente Bokalic CM, for his visit and closeness during the mission.
One of the JAR missionaries, Lucas, summarized the experience as follows:
100 years ago, with faith on fire,
Some brave people said “yes”,
leaving everything, including doubts,
By and for Christ to live
With St. Augustine as a flag,
we seek integrity without end,
Thanks to confessions,
we avoid contradictions
And in God, we forge the future
With community as our banner we live together,
same crosses, united by a garden.
To serve with joy is our mark,
to love his creation, our passion,
that every action shines like a star,
Leaving our hearts restless
If you haven’t already done so, I would like to invite you to reflect on
If you haven’t already done so, I would like to invite you to think about
If you haven’t already done so, I would like to invite you to walk
And if you haven’t done any of this yet,
I INVITE YOU TO THE JAR.
With a grateful heart and the commitment to continue sharing the faith, the Augustinian Recollect Youth of the Vicariate of Argentina reaffirmed their vocation of service and evangelization, leaving an indelible mark in the community of Cafayate.
