On Saturday, August 23, the Course of Immediate Preparation for Solemn Profession concluded in Desierto de la Candelaria (Colombia). For five weeks, ten young Augustinian Recollects from different countries lived an itinerary of formation, prayer and fraternity that prepares them to give their definitive “yes” to God.
A time of grace in Colombia
The Course of Immediate Preparation for Solemn Profession took place between Bogotá and the convent of Desierto de la Candelaria, in Boyacá. Ten religious from the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico and Spain participated in the course, a living sign of the universality of the Augustinian Recollect charism.
During the first week, the friars met in the community of Our Lady of Consolation in Bogota, where they shared prayer, community life and initial formation. Later, they moved to the historic convent of Desierto de la Candelaria, where they deepened in the “wisdoms” of interiority, community and ecclesial life, in addition to a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira.
Training and fraternity
The Constitutions of the Augustinian Recollects remind us that “candidates for solemn profession should have a special proximate preparation, lasting a minimum of one month”. This course responds precisely to this requirement, helping the young men to discern and confirm their vocation before consecrating themselves definitively to God.
The days were marked by prayer, workshops, fraternal life and also by cultural and restful moments: visits to Jaime Duque Park, to Ráquira with its “Hand of the Artisan”, to Villa de Leyva and to the imposing Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. Each experience became an occasion to grow in fraternity and shared joy.
Spiritual exercises and discernment
The course culminated with a week of spiritual exercises, a time of silence and listening to the Lord that helped the friars to reaffirm their commitment. As they return to their communities, they do so with renewed hearts and the desire to live in fidelity what they will one day promise forever.
A definitive yes to God
As the formula of solemn profession reflects, these young people are preparing to say:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I, Fr. N.N., leaning on the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Father St. Augustine, am willing to serve God alone, with the filial purpose of consecrating myself to him more intimately and of following Christ more closely.”
The participants now return to their local ministries, waiting to pronounce that “yes”.yes“for life, ready to live as Augustinian Recollects with “one soul and one heart directed towards God.one soul and one heart directed towards God.“.