The Prior General of the Order, Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández, has sent a message to the young people participating in ENJAR 2026 (National Gathering of Augustinian Recollect Youth) taking place from May 23 to 25 in Santa Fe, Argentina.
View this post on Instagram
In his greeting, the Prior General expressed his closeness and affection toward the participants, recalling the renewal visit he made last year to the communities of the Vicariate of Argentina, where he was able to meet personally with many of them.
“In my mind there are faces, there are names of specific people, of places,” stated Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández, who wished that this youth gathering “may be a moment of grace, a moment of growth, of the presence of God.”
A Pentecost for mission
ENJAR 2026 also coincides with the celebration of Pentecost, a framework that the Prior General particularly emphasized in his message.
“May ENJAR also be a new outpouring of the Spirit in the life of the various communities, pre-communities, caravans, in the life of all the Augustinian Recollect youth of our Vicariate of Argentina,” he noted.
In the context of the Order’s Missionary Year, Friar Miguel Ángel encouraged the young people to experience this gathering as an experience of sending forth and mission: “We go where the Church needs us and we go to proclaim Christ wherever we can, wherever we are permitted, wherever it is necessary.”
The Prior General reminded them that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not only for personal growth, but also for sharing the faith with other young people: “Do not keep to yourselves all the beautiful things you are experiencing, but share them with those whom God places in your paths.”
“Let us go to the peripheries of life”
With a warm and deeply pastoral tone, the Prior General invited the participants to go out to the peripheries and the pathways of life to proclaim Christ:
“Let us go to the crossroads, let us go to the pathways of life, to the peripheries of life and proclaim that Christ who has captivated, who has won you over.”
Friar Miguel Ángel Hernández also emphasized the importance of young people being instruments of God’s love and mercy for other young people seeking meaning and hope.
The presence of Father Ismael at the gathering
The Prior General also announced the presence of the General Councilor, Friar Ismael, who is participating in the gathering representing the General Council and the Prior General himself.
“I am not there, I would very much like to be, but I know that Father Ismael will enjoy it greatly and you will also enjoy his presence and learn from his wisdom,” he expressed.
The message concluded with a blessing and the commitment of prayer from the entire Order for the young people gathered in Santa Fe: “A good gathering, blessings, may God bless you. We pray for you.”
Follow ENJAR 2026 live
ENJAR 2026 can be followed live through recoletos.org and the official portal of the gathering, jarinternacional.org.
