More than forty leaders from Augustinian Recollect schools participated in Guadalajara in a space for reflection, training, and communion under the motto “Inner gaze, shared horizon.”
More than forty management team members from the schools of the EDUCAR network of the Augustinian Recollects in Spain participated on March 13 and 14, 2026, in the 5th Meeting of management team members, held at the Casa María Madre (Guadalajara). Under the motto “Inner gaze, shared horizon”, these sessions were designed as a space for reflection, training, and coexistence to strengthen communion between the centers and to continue consolidating an authentic network culture.
The meeting was promoted by the Management Team and coordinated by the Training and Selection Commission of the EDUCAR network in Spain. It was attended by titular directors, general and pedagogical directors, stage coordinators, heads of studies, and administrators from the various schools. The objective was to pause and reflect on the path traveled, review current challenges, and open new perspectives from a shared educational vision inspired by the Augustinian educational tradition.
Pedagogical reflection and shared network collaboration
Friday’s session began with a moment of welcome, presentation, and prayer, which set the communal and spiritual tone of the meeting. Throughout the day, various work sessions were held focusing on pedagogical criteria and editorial resources, as well as reflection on educational spaces and digital environments and shared websites, elements that are increasingly relevant for strengthening the identity and communication of the centers.
In parallel, administrators and titular directors also held a specific meeting space, which allowed for the sharing of experiences and dialogue regarding the reality of the schools, addressing common concerns and challenges in educational management.
During the afternoon session, participants attended a presentation by Javier Poveda, titled “Rethinking economics at the service of the mission”. It emphasized the importance of understanding the economic management of the centers as an instrument at the service of the educational and evangelizing mission, inviting a rethink of sustainability models from a perspective consistent with the educational project and the shared charism of the EDUCAR network schools.
The day also included spaces dedicated to social commitment through ARCORES, reflection on the institutional identity and image of the centers, and coordination meetings by stages. The day concluded with a visit to the city of Guadalajara and a time of fellowship that encouraged personal connection among the participants.
Eucharist and future perspectives for the EDUCAR network
Saturday began with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Carlos González, OAR, Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, a central moment of the sessions that helped to frame the shared work within the spiritual dimension that inspires the Augustinian educational mission.
Following the Eucharist, the Management Team presented a summary of the work completed and the lines of action planned for the pastoral, pedagogical, training and selection, and communication fields within the EDUCAR network. During this session, a connection was also made with Antonio Carrón, president of the EDUCAR network, who shared several relevant updates for the centers.
Among these, he highlighted the update of content on recoletos.org related to the protection plan and the ethical channel, as well as upcoming important events, such as the International Conference on School and University Pastoral Care, promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, to be held in Rome next October, and the EDUCAR 2027 international meeting, which will take place in Spain.
The final session of the meeting was led by María Guerrero Sanz, with the presentation “The common ground: what sustains teams”, focusing on leadership and the elements that allow for the strengthening and sustaining of educational teams in contexts of change.
This 5th Meeting of management team members of the EDUCAR network in Spain has been a new opportunity to share experiences, strengthen common identity, and continue promoting an education inspired by the Augustinian charism, where interiority, dialogue, community, and the search for truth continue to be fundamental pillars of educational action.
