The Augustinian Recollect Missionaries began the Jubilee Year for the 75th anniversary of their elevation to a congregation in their motherhouse in Monteagudo (Navarra, Spain).
On January 18, 1947, the Holy See issued the decree laudis, of praise, in which it granted the character of congregation to the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters, being constituted by the sisters of Spain, Brazil, Colombia. In the same place where it all began, in the motherhouse of Monteagudo (Navarra, Spain), the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters began the celebration of the jubilee year for the 75th anniversary of the congregation. More than 20 sisters from different parts of Spain, as well as religious from other countries who connected live to the celebration, were present.
The missionaries were accompanied by Augustinian Recollect religious, especially by a large group of novices who led the singing. The Eucharist was presided by the Augustinian Recollect bishop of Tarazona, Bishop Eusebio Hernandez. In his homily, the prelate left several important messages for the sisters. The first of them was that “in life we cannot be mere spectators or guests; it is necessary for each one to assume their missionary responsibility so that joy may be an expression of the new times”.
She also affirmed that at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, the members of the Congregation have “the commitment to look at the signs of the times and go out to meet the new needs with overflowing generosity.” “As contemplative women, you must find God in the brother who walks beside you; in each one of them you must see Jesus who walks with you,” she said.
He also invited them to be “always well centered in Christ Jesus, who is the reason for your being and doing.” “It is unconditional love for God that continues to lead you to the existential peripheries and keeps the Congregation alive and joyful,” he said.
In this way, the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Nuns begin a whole year of celebration in which they will remember the journey of many religious who have made the charism founded by Bishop Francisco Javier Ochoa and Mother Esperanza Ayerbe a reality.
History
In 1930 Bishop Francisco Javier Ochoa, OAR, sought among the contemplative Augustinian Recollect Nuns of Spain, sisters who were willing to collaborate actively in the mission of Kweith Fu (China), entrusted to the Augustinian Recollects. Mothers Esperanza Ayerbe de la Cruz, Ma Ángeles García de San Rafael and Carmela Ruiz de San Agustín undertook this missionary task.
In 1935, in response to the request of Bishop Ignacio Martinez, OAR, from various convents of contemplative Augustinian Recollect Nuns in Spain, Mothers Adelaida Miguel of the Transfiguration, Maria Diez Ulzurrum of the Tabernacle and Vicenta Fernandez of the Good Counsel went to work in the mission of Labrea (Brazil).
In 1940 Mothers Esperanza and Carmela returned to Spain with the purpose of opening a novitiate to form sisters for the mission. Since it was impossible to send new professed sisters to China because of the war, they opened houses in Spain and Colombia, with the permission of the Superior General of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of the Philippines, to which they had been incorporated by the Holy See since 1936.
On January 18, 1947, the canonical erection took place as a diocesan congregation under the name of Augustinian Recollect Missionary Nuns of Mary, being constituted by the sisters of Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Mother Ma Angeles Garcia, who was in China. Bishop Francisco Javier Ochoa drew up the Constitutions and gave us the coat of arms with the motto SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA.
The special chapter of 1969, when adapting and renewing the Constitutions, approved the new name of Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters, with the acronym MAR. At present they are present in Spain, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil and Ecuador.