On Saturday, June 3, the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity -FSAR- of Southern California had its retreat at the Cristo Rey Church in Los Angeles, California, under the spiritual direction of the Augustinian Recollect Enrique Eguiarte.
In the absence of Fray Domingos Machado, prior-parish priest of Cristo Rey, Fray Jorge Mateos and Deacon Ascención Esqueda welcomed everyone and tried to respond to the needs of those present throughout the day.
The theme of the retreat was on the Spirituality of Saint Augustine. Eguiarte invited those present to learn a little more about the desires of Saint Augustine and how he discovered through the Holy Scriptures the answer to his search for Truth. Eguiarte made them see that the spirituality of Saint Augustine can help people today, since the yearnings of the soul are almost the same as in the days of the Bishop of Hippo.
It was a beautiful experience of encountering the Word of God when Fray Enrique Eguiarte led the retreat attendees in a lectio divina on the Gospel of John 3:16-18.
After the copious midday meal, the election of the regional president and vice president of the California Fraternities took place. Raúl Ramírez, of the St. Augustine Priory Fraternity in Oxnard, was elected president and Noemí González, of Saint Benedict Parish in Montebello, vice president.
After the election an opportunity to confess was offered. The Recollects Enrique Eguiarte, Marlon Beof and Jorge Mateos were available to hear confessions.
The highlight of the day was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Enrique Eguiarte. Marlon and Jorge concelebrated, and Fray Ascención Esqueda served the Mass. At the end of the Mass, Enrique blessed and distributed to the Fraternity members the newly printed Rule of Life and Statutes of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity.
The members of the fraternity have unanimously expressed their satisfaction for the warm welcome and for the community spirit that was felt during the assembly and thank God, Fray Enrique and the organizers for the beautiful and fruitful day that has spiritually enriched all the members. participants.
