The Prior General sent the official communication to start the process of revitalization of the Order. The team responsible for the revitalization is given six months to prepare a six-year action plan. All Augustinian Recollects are involved in the changes that the Institute will experience in adapting to the new times and within the parameter of the New Evangelization as proposed by the Church.
The commission that is responsible for the action plan, “shall know the strengths and weakness of the provinces and their territories and shall propose, in view of the future, priorities and projects of the Order,” says the document prepared by Fr. Miro. The objective is to channel the vitality that springs from the Augustinian Recollect charism to the religious to animate them to work, at this point in time, with pride of being members of an Institute which, in spite of its four hundred years of age, still participates with illusion in a new project. The Prior General insists: “it is important that we face the challenge of revitalization with hope and the assurance that the Lord gives to us.”
Historical Moment
The members of the commission that is responsible for animating and preparing the strategic plan will have to ask themselves how to respond to the challenges of the New Evangelization. They have to discern on the priorities of the Order and how this can better organize itself in order to respond to the needs of the Church.
This is a historical moment in the life of an Order that has 400 years of history. The possible consequences may include unions, disappearance or creation of new provinces, closure or opening of ministries… In exchange there shall be purification of the Augustinian Recollect charism, which is no other than to live in community the charism of Saint Augustine, starting from prayer and the communitarian life. The Prior General clearly explains in his communication: “restructuration is not only adjustment or closure of ministries, it is rather seconding the creativity of the Spirit in order to respond to the needs of our time.”
Audacities
The letter that communicates the beginning of the process of revitalization states: “disqualifications, pessimism or freeborn optimism will not serve in this case, not shortsightedness that closes the person in oneself, in what one does, in one’s community, vicariate or province. Minimum compliance is not enough. This will only disillusion us. Not a life free of pain but devoid of initiatives, this is detrimental to what the Church expects from us.” On the contrary, the Prior General urges, the changes the Order of Augustinian Recollects will live require boldness and sacrifice from all and each religious that form this religious family.