Luis Marín: Wisdom, cross and hope in the living Christ, St. Thomas of Villanova

The morning of October 11 was especially significant for the Augustinian Recollect family. In the context of the meeting of ongoing formation by stages in Rome, and on the occasion of the feast of
St. Thomas of Villanova
the Eucharist was celebrated in the Casa Divin Maestro (Ariccia), presided over by Msgr. Luis Marín de San MartínThe celebration was attended by the undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. The celebration was attended by
friars in formation of less than five years and more than fifty years of consecrated life, together with friars in formation of less than five years and more than fifty years of consecrated life.
together with Augustinian Recollect
Augustinian Recollect nuns from Mexico and Spain
and the
and the Commendatrixes of Santiago
. It was a moment of deep communion and renewal of vocational commitment.

A celebration with a universal flavor

The Eucharist was an expression of the missionary and multicultural richness of the Order. The
first reading was proclaimed in Portuguese by the
by
Friar Roberto Carlos Alvarado
Roberto Carlos Alvarado, missionary in Brazil.
psalm was read in English
by
Friar Johben Rodriguez
missionary in Cuba; and the
Gospel was proclaimed in Spanish
by
Carlos Rieira
Carlos Rieira, deacon and vocation promoter in Venezuela. Three languages, three missions, one family.

St. Thomas of Villanova: wisdom born of love

In his homily, Bishop Luis Marín recalled the luminous figure of
St. Thomas of Villanova
Bishop of the poor and credible witness of the Gospel. He emphasized his radical option for the last and his profoundly Christian wisdom:

“To have nothing for having given everything, as a concrete testimony of charity”.

The Augustinian bishop explained that true wisdom, in Augustinian terms, is not just erudition,
is not only erudition
but
wisdom that orients, that is born of walking with God.
.

“The only way to be wise is to walk with God. Only from humility can we place ourselves in the right perspective.”

With a close and pastoral tone, he recalled that
Christ is not an idea or a memory
but a living person:

“The only valid knowledge of Christ is experiential. And he who identifies himself with Christ, makes his way… even carrying his cross”.

His message focused on the
Easter hope
:

“Let us not remain in an eternal Good Friday. The Christian is the watchman of the night of Easter. Embracing the cross is the only way to resurrection.”

A word from the Prior General to the whole family

At the end of the celebration, the Prior
At the end of the celebration, the Prior General, Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez
Miguel Angel Hernandez, addressed a few brief but encouraging words, speaking with tenderness and clarity to each group present.

To the
elders
He thanked them for their dedication and loyalty, encouraging them:

“Do not retire from religious life; continue to give your life for the Kingdom.”

To the
Augustinian Recollect Nuns
He expressed his gratitude for their presence and prayers:

“Don’t stop praying for us. You are our new Monicas, women of tireless intercession.”

And to the
young friars
He encouraged them to be witnesses of dedication and hope:

“I ask for your youth as a model of generosity in our family. It doesn’t matter if you run, limp or barely walk…the important thing is that we keep walking.”

He concluded by recalling that
we are heirs of a charism
and that this inheritance is also a blessing:

“Walking together is the best way to guard the fire of our vocation.”

A family on the way, a living charism

The Eucharist was one of the most significant moments of the meeting. A liturgical act that was at the same time a thanksgiving, a renewal of commitment and a prophecy of hope.
of thanksgiving, renewal of commitment and a prophecy of hope.
. Around the figure of Saint Thomas of Villanova, the Augustinian Recollect family celebrated its identity, its mission and its desire to continue walking with a restless heart and in communion with the Church.