The Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternities (SAR) of Madrid, Valladolid and Valencia (Spain) met at the Saint Augustine Formation House in Las Rozas (Madrid) to participate in their traditional Advent retreat.
All the members of the SAR Valladolid and most of those from Madrid (Santa Rita and Santa Florentina), Getafe, and Las Rozas accepted the invitation. Also attending for the first time were members of SAR Requena (Valencia), accompanied by two contemplative Augustinian Recollect nuns, as this Fraternity is promoted by their monastery.
The retreat was coordinated by Pepita Olivas, a member of SAR Granada, official trainer and member of the National Council of SAR Spain.
As planned, the first thing to do was to warm up the voices for the hymns of the Eucharistic celebration at 10:00 a.m., presided over by Carlos González, Prior Provincial of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine. During the Eucharist, Lauds and the Benedictus, a hymn of praise with its antiphon, were recited. The singing, vibrant and spirited, enlivened the entire celebration.
Pepita Olivas presentation focused on Augustine‘s work, The City of God. Each attendee received the lecture texts to facilitate their understanding, along with supplementary and updated commentary.
Aside from the richness of the Augustinian texts, whose doctrinal relevance and social importance the speaker emphasized, the most original aspect was the presentation format: an interview with Saint Augustine through a series of questions that the saint answered with passages from his own work. The Augustinian Recollect Antonio Antón played the role of the wise Bishop of Hippo, and the speaker’s daughter, Inmaculada, served as projectionist to complement her mother’s words.
After a break to change position, chat, and have refreshments, Claudia Díaz, now a member of SAR Valladolid and formerly of the Querétaro fraternity in Mexico, gave the second lecture, which focused on a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith entitled “ Mother of the Faithful People,” endorsed by Leo XIV. With the document in hand, she explained the reasons for its publication, its content, and the most debated points regarding certain Marian devotions.
After lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to reflecting on the presentations, asking for clarification, and sharing personal concerns. The retreat concluded with a moment of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the recitation of Vespers.
Four Augustinian Recollect religious advisors accompanied the retreat participants: Antonio Antón (national advisor, Getafe), Rafael Mediavilla (Valladolid), Marciano Santervás (Santa Rita) and Teodoro Baztán (Santa Florentina).
