Bogotá. Under the motto “Proclaim Christ wherever you can”, the Meeting of Local Priors of Colombia, organized by the Province of La Candelaria, concluded this Tuesday, April 28. During two intensive working days, held at the Provincial Curia and in the Tagaste Community, the religious analyzed the reality of the jurisdiction and outlined lines of action for community animation in preparation for the upcoming Provincial Chapter.
Innovation in Leadership and Community Life
The meeting began on Monday, April 27, by placing the assembly’s work in God’s hands through the Eucharist. The main focus of this first day was training for service through the “Workshop on Leadership and Community Life.”
This session was coordinated by Friar Alfonso Davila, a member of the Order’s communications team, who facilitated the sessions using the innovative LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) methodology. This technique allowed the priors to reflect, dialogue, and build joint proposals in a creative manner, strengthening teamwork and assertive listening.
The inaugural day concluded with a spiritually and culturally rich event in the Santa Monica Hall of Agustiniano Norte, where the official presentation of the audiobook on the Confessions of our father Saint Augustine took place.
Analysis of the Reality and Care of Elderly Brothers
On Tuesday, April 28, the work moved to the Tagaste Community. This second day was strongly marked by direct dialogue with the Provincial Prior and by an honest reading of the demographic reality facing the Order in the country.
Through group workshops, the priors addressed the undeniable situation of having a large number of elderly and infirm religious, in addition to the sensitive passing of 16 friars in the last period. This reality, which has led to four communities currently consisting of only two religious, prompted the development of the “Comprehensive Care Workshop for the Elderly.”
In response to these significant challenges, the local priors structured various suggestions and restructuring proposals that will be presented for evaluation at the upcoming Provincial Chapter.
Vocational Promotion and Commitment to the Augustinian Family
Beyond internal challenges, the meeting was the ideal setting to reaffirm the pastoral commitment of the communities. During the conclusions, the support each house provides for vocational promotion was evaluated, and clear commitments were established to continue closely accompanying the Secular Fraternities, the Monica Mothers, and the Augustinian Recollect Youth (JAR).
The Meeting of Priors culminated with a renewed spirit of communion, always recalling the maxim of our father Saint Augustine that illuminated the discernment of these two days: “As for spiritual goods, consider yours what you love in your brother, and let him consider his what he loves in you.”
