The Prior General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández, has highlighted the value of communion, shared mission, and pastoral dynamism of the communities during an interview granted to a diocesan radio station in Cachoeiro within the framework of his renewal visit to Brazil.
During the dialogue, the Prior General explained the meaning of his service within the Order, defined as a ministry of unity. “The Prior General is the moderator of the Order, but, above all, he is called to be a reference point of communion among all religious,” he stated. In this regard, he emphasized that his mission consists of accompanying and ensuring the living out of the Project of Life and Mission approved at the General Chapter.
A Service of Unity at the Service of the Mission
Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández recalled that this project, developed after a discernment process of several weeks, guides the life of the Order for a six-year period. “It is about responding to the challenges of the Church and the world, and making it concrete in areas such as community life, pastoral work, education, or spirituality,” he explained.
The main challenge, he added, is that this plan does not remain a theoretical formulation:
“Our task is to ensure it is lived out in all communities, that it does not remain in words, but is translated into life.”
Elected in 2022 for a term until 2028, the Prior General emphasized that visits to the communities form an essential part of this service. These visits have a threefold objective: “to know, to encourage, and to correct,” always from a fraternal and pastoral attitude.
Renewal Visits: Closeness and Accompaniment
Within the framework of these renewal visits, the Prior General travels to the different presences of the Order to know firsthand the reality of the religious and their apostolic works.
“It is about knowing the friars, their life, their mission, and the context in which they work; encouraging their dedication and, when necessary, offering fraternal correction,” he explained. This accompaniment, he added, seeks to strengthen the identity and fidelity to the Augustinian Recollect charism.
In addition to these ordinary visits, the Prior General participates in significant events for the Order, such as jubilee celebrations or anniversaries, which reinforce the memory and community identity.
A Living Church with Strong Lay Participation
During his stay in the Brazilian diocese of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández especially valued the pastoral dynamism of the communities and the participation of the laity.
“It is a very rich reality, with numerous communities, both urban and rural, well organized and with very active participation of the faithful,” he stated.
In the parishes served by the Augustinian Recollects, he also highlighted the intense sacramental life, especially in the area of spiritual accompaniment: “It is very significant to see constant lines of people seeking confession, spiritual dialogue, encounter with the priest.”
A Life Marked by International Mission
A native of Spain, near Madrid, the Prior General has extensive missionary experience in Brazil, a country where he has lived for nearly twenty years at different stages of his religious life.
This trajectory explains his closeness to the Latin American reality and his fluency in Portuguese, which facilitates dialogue and pastoral closeness during his visits.
He currently resides in Rome, where the General Curia of the Order is located, although his service leads him to constantly travel to the different presences of the Augustinian Recollects throughout the world.
Global Presence and Missionary Challenges
In the interview, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández also referred to the international presence of the Order, acknowledging the challenges posed by missionary expansion, especially in regions such as Africa.
“Currently our presence is still limited, with communities in Sierra Leone and Kenya, but the concern for mission and openness to new realities remains constant,” he stated.
The Prior General concluded by emphasizing the need to maintain fidelity to the charism amid the changes in the world: “We are called to respond to the new realities of the Church and society, without losing what is essential: communion, unity, and life according to our charism.”
