The Divina Pastora 2026 Vocational Expo–Charism became a space for encounter, dialogue, and communion among the different charisms of the Church. In this context, the participation of the Augustinian Recollects was an opportunity to present their vocational identity through closeness and witness.
“For us, participating in the Expo is a profoundly significant experience,” explains Friar Carlos Riera, OAR, one of the friars present at the event. “It allows us to share our charism in communion with other charisms of the Church and, at the same time, to make ourselves known to young people who approach us with vocational concerns.”
A charism shared through witness
During the vocational day, the friars presented the Augustinian Recollect charism through close dialogue, fraternity, and a simple explanation of their way of life. Along with them, the testimony of the female branches of the Augustinian family was also made known.
“We seek to highlight the centrality of community life, the inner search for God, fraternity, and service to the Church,” says Friar Carlos. All of this, he adds, showing that the Augustinian Recollect vocation is “a path of joy, dedication, and encounter with Christ through service,” inspired by the figure of Saint Augustine and in the testimony of Blessed Mother María de San José, the first Venezuelan blessed.
The concerns of young people
One of the most valuable aspects of the Expo was direct contact with young people. According to Friar Carlos Riera, many approached with curiosity to learn about the identity of the Augustinian Recollect family and to delve into the life and spiritual legacy of Saint Augustine.
Questions also arose about the mission of the Order, the places where it serves, and the concrete way of living the charism in different pastoral contexts. In this dialogue, the friars also shared the life and testimony of Augustinian saints such as Saint Ezekiel Moreno, who was close to the Latin American reality.
Vocation, search, and accompaniment
From the experience lived at the Expo, Friar Carlos emphasizes that the young people who are asking themselves about their vocation today are looking, above all, for an authentic path of meaning and fulfillment. “Many express the desire to live their faith with coherence and without fear, even in environments where they sometimes feel misunderstood,” he says.
In this process, the spirituality of Saint Augustine offers a special light. “It invites us to unite daily life with spiritual life, to enter into interiority, and to seek the truth from a personal experience with God,” explains the friar, emphasizing that vocational discernment is a path of process, conversion, and maturation.
A space that sows hope
The simple but profound encounters with young people and adults confirmed, for the friars, the importance of this type of initiative. “Listening to their concerns and their sincere desire to seek God’s will reaffirms that the Vocational Expo is a valuable means of sowing hope and raising vocational questions,” says Friar Carlos.
The Order of Augustinian Recollects continues to accompany these searches through vocational coexistence, community experiences, spiritual guidance, and the life testimony of the friars, helping to discern God’s call with freedom and joy.
A final message to young people
To those who participated in the Expo and continue to seek their place in the Church, Friar Carlos leaves a clear message: “Do not be afraid to ask yourselves profound questions or to open your life to God. Seek in inner silence, trust in the process, and do not walk alone. The Church is home and community. Dare to dream of holiness.”
