What has been the main challenge in publishing this story?
The main challenge was transforming a very personal view into a work with a more historical and pastoral perspective. The original text, written in the first person, reflected concrete experiences of life and mission. The material has been reorganized to place at the center the figure of the Augustinian Recollect Justo Goizueta (1912-1991), bishop of the Prelature from its foundation until 1988, and its subsequent evolution as an ecclesial territory.
It was necessary to rewrite almost entirely certain passages to unify the narrative, eliminate contradictions, and emphasize that the establishment of the Prelature was a collective effort of the Augustinian Recollects, with the bishop as its principal figure. The result is a personal interpretation of the Recollect presence in Madera, focusing on the life of the local Church and the role played by its bishop.
What traits of Bishop Goizueta had the strongest influence on the Prelature?
I would highlight his closeness to the other missionary religious, his courage in taking risks and facing difficulties, and the enormous amount of quiet work he carried out. The book offers a very good glimpse into the daily life of the Prelature from its beginnings.
Goizueta was constantly on the move. He traveled throughout the territory and sought to maintain good relations with the ecclesiastical hierarchy, something not always easy at the time. Within the Episcopal Conference, he was considered a bishop of a “frontline” which demanded energy, capacity for sacrifice, and missionary zeal.
However, he had a different profile from other great missionary figures of his Family, such as Rodrigo de San Miguel, Saint Ezekiel Moreno, or Nicolás Casas. Justo Goizueta was not a great missionary in the classical sense; his qualities were more oriented toward parish life, pastoral organization, and institutional governance.
In fact, he was able to give structure and order to the Prelature, which under his direction was elevated to a Diocese due to his organizational capacity and the consolidation he achieved.
What has the Chihuahua mission meant for the Augustinian Recollect Family?
It perfectly reflects that period of great missionary zeal among the Augustinian Recollects who, after accepting the responsibility, worked with great dedication. The goal was to create self-sufficient Christian communities and consolidate a stable Church.
The Augustinian Recollects have not had as defined a missionary profile as the more specialized Congregations, but they knew how to respond to the needs that arose with their own style of simplicity, closeness to the people and friendship with the people.
The Prelature of Madera was predominantly rural—“popular,” Goizueta said—and he adapted very well to that context. He fostered a simple and fraternal relationship, both with the faithful and among the missionaries.
What is the missionary spirit of the Augustinian Recollect Family?
It appeared very early in the Recollect Reform, barely five or six years after its founding. Its first two centuries were intensely missionary and expansive in the Philippines, Japan, the Pacific Islands, Colombia, Central America…
However, the intense missionary dispersion weakened community life, and this model was reconsidered, a concern especially visible in the 20th century. In 1941, the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine promoted the opening of schools because it was believed that, in contrast to the missions, they strengthened community life while still providing a social service.
Today, perhaps we should intensify that missionary spirit, which has somewhat weakened. The challenge is to unite both dimensions: community life and mission. In practice, this is not always easy, because we often end up placing more emphasis on one of the two.
Although the traditional mission was characterized by evangelizing non-Christian territories and peoples, one of the most characteristic features of the Augustinian Recollects is that they have not followed that model so much, but their contribution has consisted of knowing how to insert themselves into ordinary life and collaborate in the pastoral construction of the local Churches.
Although education and other apostolates displaced some missionary activity, the missionary identity of the Augustinian Recollect Family never disappeared. It is part of our history and spirit, although today it may need to be recovered and revitalized.
