The theme was “The Word of God in the Life and Apostolate of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity.” It was divided into two parts: The First Part, “The Word of God in the Life of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity” was developed by Father Provincial, Fr, Regino Bancaya, OAR. In connection with the “Year of St. Paul”, Father Bancaya, stressed the great similarities between the life of St. Paul and that of St. Augustine. The first similarity was their conversion. St. Augustine himself admits in his Confessions that several persons contributed to his conversion. But the final blow was given by God’s word as contained in the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (13:13-14).
After having been converted both Paul and Augustine, moved by love, dedicated themselves totally and absolutely to the service of God and men. All throughout his conference, Father Bancaya stressed the importance of love as recommended by the Rule of Life in numbers 6 – 10. He also reminded the participants that the Rule of Life in number 17 states that “our Augustinian Recollect charism requires them to live an attitude of conversion and interiority and to open their heart to the Lord,” as St. Augustine did after his conversion.”
Fr. Emilio Larlar, OAR, the National Spiritual Director of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity of the Province, developed the second part of the topic, namely, “The Word of God in the Apostolate of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity.” Taking as point of the departure the inaugural message of Christ: “Repent and believe in the gospel” he connected it with the insistence of the Rule of Life in number 17 on the necessity of personal conversion and interiorization in order to perform an effective apostolate, because these fundamental activities, conversion, living faith, together with love, constitute the synthesis of the entire message of the gospel.
119 SARF members and 10 spiritual directors attended the convention. There were some problems with accommodations; but, in general, it can be said that it was a success. All agreed that the topic was actual and there was very active participation among the members in group discussions. A healthy camaraderie was achieved and fruitful and honest sharing of ideas and experiences have enriched all.