Two years ago, the Romareda School in Zaragoza, directed by the Augustinian Recollects, began to implement the itinerary of the Augustinian Recollect Youth and will continue with the same project. The groups are coordinated by volunteer mothers of the school and by the friar responsible for the pastoral work with youth at the school.
“Hearts on the way”: Thagaste stage
The Thagaste stage corresponds to the catechesis of Christian initiation and is offered to second to fourth-grade elementary school students under the name of “hearts on the way.” It includes Augustinian catechesis and prayer workshops. Families are happy with the project, and the majority of the students are living the experience.
“Restless Hearts Club”: Madaura Stage
The Madaura stage, called “Restless Hearts Club,” is offered to children who have recently made their first communion. At the end of this past school year, there were two fifth and sixth-grade groups. The students in this stage have experienced the already traveled two years of the Madaura stage plus the three years of Christian initiation catechesis.
The response of families and children has varied according to the school year. One year, the response was excellent; another year, only a small group was formed.
JAR Group: Milan stage
The month of October 2023 was thought by the pastoral team to start the JAR Romareda group for middle school students. In October 2022, senior students were invited to be part of this new initiative within the school; however, there was no perseverance, and it finally disappeared. However, some junior high students accepted the challenge to see what JAR had to offer and decided to participate.
The JAR Romareda group, in its Milan stage, has some 30 active members that meet every Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the school. Each session is divided into two parts: Icebreakers, Christian and Augustinian formation. The second part of each meeting includes a shared meal to celebrate the community, fraternity, and friendship promoted by the movement. This group collaborated intensely in the solidarity activities of the school, such as the “operation kilo” and the “solidarity party.”
“Small Hearts Club” (First Grade Elementary)
Although the JAR itinerary had no stage before Thagaste, Romareda School wanted to work with first-grade students, so the “Small Hearts Club” was created centered on Bible stories. A choreography, game or play is practiced and presented for the different stories. They also learn about St. Augustine’s life and other saints of the Augustinian Recollect Order.