Within the framework of the renewal visitation that the Prior General, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández, is making to the Augustinian Recollect communities of Spain, the Secretary General of the Order, Friar Luciano Audisio, is accompanying this process with a discreet but essential task: to safeguard the memory, strengthen internal communication and ensure that each community walks to the rhythm of the life of the Order.
A visit to renew fraternal life
Since mid-October, the Prior General has been in Spain visiting various communities. From October 19-22, he visited the formation houses of Monachil, belonging to the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Then, from October 26-29, he visited the formation house of St. Ezekiel Moreno in Madrid, belonging to the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria. He is currently visiting the community of St. Rita Parish in the Spanish capital.
These visits, called renewal visits, are intended to accompany, encourage and discern with each community its journey of fidelity to the Gospel and the Recollect charism.
The job of the Secretary General: taking care of the essentials
“I am the Secretary General of the Order, not the Prior General”, says Friar Luciano humorously.Luciano humorously clarifies. His mission goes beyond administrative matters. During the renewal visitations, he reviews the official books that each community must keep: books of notable events, of the dead, of Masses, of offices received, and, in the case of houses of formation, the books of local chapters and community meetings.
“It is important to check if the communications that go out from the General Curia have really reached the communities”, explains Friar Luciano.Luciano explains.
It is not just a matter of papers, but of ensuring the connection between the center of the Order and the concrete life of its members in all corners of the world.
In addition, the General Secretariat verifies that the communities preserve the memory of the deceased religious and receive the determinations and messages of the Prior General -such as those sent on important feasts like St. Augustine or the Recollection-, thus guaranteeing a united and coherent living of the charism.
A bridge between the provinces and the Holy See
Beyond the visitations, the General Secretariat also has the function of being the official liaison between the provinces of the Order and the dicasteries of the Holy See.
“When a province needs to send a document to the Holy See, it does so through us, and we give it the appropriate form according to Vatican requirements”, clarifies Friar Luciano.Luciano clarifies.
Thus, the General Secretariat becomes a true bridge of communion, guarding the unity, memory and institutional dynamism of the entire Augustinian Recollect family.