How do you feel about being elected president of the Fraternities of Mexico?
I could say responsibility, enthusiasm, and gratitude, but in this initial phase, the responsibility of accompanying my brothers, together with the Council, takes precedence. And yes, I am very excited to carry out this service that the Lord and my brothers have entrusted to me.
The Assembly determined the priorities, and there is much to be done. Safeguarding and promoting identity and belonging is of paramount importance. As Augustinian Recollect Seculars, we want to strengthen our belonging to this religious family.
There are many strengths that keep the Fraternities alive in Mexico, but I will focus on nurturing the spiritual aspect and the sense of family. It will also be good to strengthen fraternity and recognize the many gifts of those who, with compassion, accompany and welcome others even in times of difficulty and aspire to holiness by journeying together toward God.
What lines of action have you perceived as most urgent or necessary?
The main one is the training of formators to consolidate the human and spiritual sense of the Fraternity; and a pedagogy with more solid foundations that allows getting closer to everyone from humility.
I dream that the community sharing in each Fraternity will be, as stated in the Statutes of the Augustinian-Recollect Secular Fraternity, a true space of communion, charity and trust, of respect and of knowing ourselves as brothers who share experiences and lives.
Finally, we will seek to accompany spiritual growth with the centrality of the Word of God and personal and communal prayer. As Saint Augustine says, humility consists in knowing yourself, and this is the path to self-truth, which opens us to an encounter with Christ. Humility is the foundation of this spiritual growth.
What are you expecting from the celebration of the 129th Provincial Chapter?
May the Fraternity be considered an integral part of the Augustinian Recollect Family, and may the consecrated men and women offer us their closeness and acceptance. Good communication strengthens bonds and creates effective synodality, walking together as a community of faith, in service and evangelization.
It is also important that the Fraternities have a consecrated assistant. The charism of the Augustinian Recollection is entrusted to the laity, but the fraternal and charitable guidance and accompaniment of all members of the Family is beneficial.
What would be your first message as national president to your brothers and sisters of the Secular Fraternities of Mexico?
May their faithful commitment to communion help the Fraternities become spaces of growth within the family, rooted in charity and humility. Let us seek God within ourselves, for there dwells Truth. Let us foster unity and peace, and remember that charity among brothers and sisters is a manifestation of the Spirit’s action.
We, the members of the Secular Fraternity, entrust our promises to Mary of Consolation. May she guide us to Jesus Christ. Our vocation as Augustinian Recollect lay members is a gift from God for each of us and for our entire Family.
New Council of the Secular Fraternity of Mexico 2026-2029
- President: Sylvia Chávez, FSAR Querétaro.
- First advisor and in charge of Spirituality: Consuelo López, FSAR Tecamachalco.
- Second advisor and secretary: Filogonio Hernández, FSAR Macuxtepetla.
- Third advisor and treasurer: Sofia del Bosque, FSAR Santa Monica, CDMX.
- Fourth advisor: Gabriela López, FSAR Chihuahua.
