Local coordinators and advisors of the Augustinian Recollect Youth (ARY) from the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine of the Augustinian Recollects in Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras have met at the House of Recollection in Cuernavaca (Morelos, Mexico) for their First International Meeting.
Through spiritual conversation, silence, deep listening, and shared reflection guided by the Spirit, the participants in this gathering focused on exploring new horizons for the ARY. This synodal methodology of spiritual conversation aims to reach consensus and common agreements.
The final result has been four proposals, one for each of the axes of the ARY Synod (Salamanca, 2023) that are expected to illuminate the steps of each of the ARY communities, pre-communities and groups in each country and area.
In January 2024, the Recollect religious advisors had adapted the ARY’s Provincial Action Plan to the decisions of the Synod of Salamanca. This task was now being completed with the inclusion of more voices and experiences at the meeting.
Thus, in Cuernavaca were present the religious national advisors from the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain; the national coordinators of ARY Mexico; the advisors from Mexico City, Morelos and Querétaro; the contemplative Augustinian Recollect advisors from ARY Tula, ARY Macuxtepetla and ARY Ahuacatlán; and the coordinators from Honduras and Boys’ Town.
Representatives from Spain and Brazil did not participate, as they had previously participated in the IV International ARY Meeting of the Saint Thomas of Vilanova Province in Buenos Aires (January of this year).
It was four days of intense work. The first day included a retreat and presentations on the situation of each ARY with videos, photographs, and data. Everyone learned firsthand about the current state of structures, achievements, challenges, and how the synodal conclusions have been implemented.
The second and third days focused on the four synodal themes: Vocation and Identity; Charism and Spirituality; Formation and Accompaniment; and Evangelization and Mission. Each theme was preceded by awareness-raising activities, interactive exercises, and guiding questions that were discussed in small groups to better channel all opinions.
On the fourth day there was an excursion and a final sharing session in which the importance of walking together to apply these synodal decisions everywhere without exception, but at the most appropriate paces for each place, was emphasized.
The main result of this meeting has been to increase the motivation to strengthen the identity, spirituality and mission of young people throughout the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, which wants to share its Augustinian Recollect spirituality and charism with young people in all its ministries.
