Friar Javier González Velázquez concluded his visit to the Delegation of Panama on October 8. The final stage, at the Stone Church of Río Abajo, included encounters with the religious and the laity, an insight into the parish’s social work, and the renewal of vows.
The Vicar General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Friar Javier González Velázquez, concluded his renewal visit to the Delegation of Panama on Thursday, October 8. The journey ended at the Stone Church of Río Abajo, where he shared in the daily life of the religious, learned about the parish’s pastoral and social activity, and held a review meeting with the community.
From Costa del Este to Río Abajo
The final stage began on Wednesday, October 7, after closing the visit to the Costa del Este community with the prayer of Lauds and the renewal of religious vows. After days of encounters at Saint Augustine School and the parish, Friar Javier moved to Río Abajo.
There he dedicated the day to living and conversing with the friars. In the evening, he celebrated the Eucharist with the parish community and representatives of various apostolic groups, the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity, the Augustinian Recollect Youth, and the Mothers Monica.
The Vicar General described this encounter as a “simple, but quite significant and very welcoming” sharing. Although the obligations of a working day prevented all groups from attending, he was able to get closer to the life of a parish that stood out for its activity and dynamism.
The Santa Monica soup kitchen and social commitment
Thursday, October 8, began with the prayer of Lauds together with the religious. During the morning, Friar Javier toured the church facilities, the parish halls, and the Santa Monica soup kitchen, where he learned about one of the initiatives that sustains the parish’s social work.
Every Sunday, after the morning masses, breakfasts are offered in this soup kitchen. The participation of the faithful allows for the collection of funds destined for various parish social works. The tour was an opportunity to learn firsthand about this initiative and its contribution to the service of the community.
Dialogue on the community and its mission
At four-thirty in the afternoon, the meeting with the friars took place. In it, the progress of the local community, the apostolates, and the responsibilities of each religious were addressed.
The dialogue also included matters of interest to the Province, related to its missionary reality and the future of its presence in Panama following the provincial chapter. This encounter allowed for the sharing of concerns and a joint review of various aspects of the life and mission of the religious.
Renewal of vows and closing of the visit
The visit to the Stone Church concluded during the prayer of Vespers, with the renewal of religious vows. With this gesture of commitment and communion, the renewal visit to the Delegation of Panama was also closed.
At the end of the day, Friar Javier returned to Saint Augustine School in Costa del Este to spend the night and prepare for the return trip, scheduled for Friday, October 9. Thus culminated a journey of listening, prayer, and coexistence with the religious and the laity who share the Augustinian Recollect mission in the country.
