On April 18, 2026, an international virtual meeting took place that brought together 15 presidents and national representatives of the Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternities from different parts of the world. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half in an atmosphere of communion, listening, and fraternal dialogue.
The meeting, led by Friar Fabián Martin, general councilor and responsible for the Secular Fraternities, began with a moment of prayer, in which the life and mission of the Secular Fraternities were entrusted, placing in the Lord’s hands the challenges and hopes of this time. Subsequently, various topics of relevance to the life and organization of the Fraternities were addressed.
During the first part of the meeting, the participants shared, one by one, the experience of receiving and implementing the new Statutes of the Secular Fraternities. This space allowed for the recognition of the richness and diversity of situations. In many cases, the existence of certain initial resistance was noted, especially regarding aspects considered sensitive, such as the participation of divorced and remarried persons, the processes of suspension or possible expulsion of members, as well as the definition and scope of the figure of the so-called “praying fraternal members.” Nevertheless, it was also emphasized that, through adequate explanation and accompaniment, several Fraternities have been overcoming these difficulties and making positive progress in the application of the Statutes. Some communities have been able to implement them without major setbacks, while others, considering their own circumstances, have prudently chosen to postpone their application.
Regarding the Ritual of Fraternities (2026), recently approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, concern arose about the advisability of its publication together with the prayer book. It was clarified that, although both texts have been presented together in the past, the Ritual constitutes a specific document, while the prayer book is not strictly part of it, so the opportunity for its publication in a single volume will be considered later.
Another point addressed was the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Year 2026, for which all Fraternities were encouraged to welcome and promote the various proposed initiatives, adapting them to their own realities and sharing the experiences that are already being carried out in various places.
Likewise, the proposal to promote the establishment of Secular Fraternities around the monasteries of Augustinian Recollect nuns of contemplative life was positively valued. The participants expressed their willingness to support this initiative, recognizing in it an opportunity to strengthen spiritual bonds and foster the growth of the Fraternities.
Finally, the proposal for a Formation Manual for the Secular Fraternities, currently in the development phase, was presented. It was indicated that this is a project in development, which may be shared with formators, but emphasizing that, at the present time, the priority should focus on the study and proper implementation of the new Statutes. This Manual, together with the Instructive for accompaniment published in 2025, is emerging as one of the lines of work for the year 2027, which in the Order of Augustinian Recollects will be dedicated to accompaniment.
The meeting concluded with a prayer, an expression of shared faith and the common commitment to continue strengthening the life and mission of the Secular Fraternities throughout the world.
