Last November 14, Augustinian Recollect Friar Bruno D’Andrea presented his new work at the Paulinas Bookstore in San Bernardo de Madrid: In the one Christ we are one. Augustinian spirituality in the heart of life . The event brought together members of the Augustinian Recollect family, university professors, and readers interested in the thought of Saint Augustine. The presentation was led by Friar Alfonso Dávila, director of communications for the Order.
The new book, published by Editorial Paulinas, stems from the desire to make the richness of Augustinian spirituality accessible to the general public, uniting academic rigor with pastoral experience. The author, a doctor of theology and specialist in patristics, wanted to show how the spiritual keys of Saint Augustine—the search, accompaniment, friendship, service—can profoundly illuminate current life.
“This book is like a great loom,” explained Friar Alfonso in his speech, “where Bruno interweaves Scripture, experience, community life, Augustinian tradition, and deep reflection. A tapestry full of colors that presents us with a God who gives himself, who cares for us, and who walks with us.”
During the presentation, Friar Bruno shared the keys to his work with a profound and approachable discourse. “This book arises from three fundamental motivations”, explained the author. The first, his immersion in the field of Augustinian studies; the second, his desire to “make accessible to a wider audience” the treasure received through contact with the Fathers of the Church; and the third, his concern to “deepen the task of spiritual accompaniment,” a pastoral challenge that is increasingly necessary in the current Church.
The structure of the book: a proposal for accompaniment from the Trinity
The book is structured in three parts: Three companions, A search and In the heart of life. Through them, Friar Bruno proposes a common thread based on the metaphor of the pilgrim, very present in the spirituality of Saint Augustine.
The first part emphasizes that “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the three great companions of every Christian,” and recalls that Augustine draws on a profoundly Trinitarian faith. The second part revolves around the existential search of the human being: “Who am I? What do I want to be? Who is behind this world?”. And the third part brings this search down to everyday life: “Augustinian spirituality offers orientations for the course of our hours,” said Friar Bruno, “to put into practice the teachings of the Master of Nazareth: forgiveness, friendship, mission, service.”
Saint Augustine as inspiration for today
Friar Bruno also shared some especially provocative images from the book: Lent as a time of pilgrimage, fear as a universal experience that is transformed into trust thanks to Christian friendship, and the washing of feet as a model of service. “Christ washes our feet —said the author—, even if we find it hard to accept. And he invites us to do the same with others, as a Church that goes forth.”
In addition, Friar Bruno pointed out the relevance of Augustinian spirituality in light of the magisterium of Pope Leo XIV. He underlined three points of contact: the call to unity as a leaven of mission, the commitment to a peace that is “disarmed and disarming,” and the urgency of a Church open to the world, capable of announcing and allowing itself to be challenged by history.
“This book does not seek to speak only of Saint Augustine,” he concluded, “but to dialogue with real life from the richness of his experience.” A work that thus becomes an invitation to encounter, discernment, and communion. A living, luminous, and profoundly human spirituality.
With this publication, Paulinas Publishing House takes another step in its commitment to bringing texts that nourish faith and spiritual life to the general public. In the one Christ we are one is now available in bookstores and is presented as a key reading for all those who wish to deepen their understanding of Augustinian spirituality with a current perspective.
