On Saturday, December 14, at the Saint Augustine House of Formation in Las Rozas, the day of reflection and coexistence had its grand finale with the incorporation of two women to the Fraternity of Saint Rita and another to that of Getafe.
The Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternities of central Spain celebrated their traditional Advent retreat on December 14 in Las Rozas (Madrid), with the participation of thirty members from the capital (Saint Monica, Saint Florentina and Saint Rita), Getafe and Valladolid.
The meeting began with morning prayer, followed by the theme “The value of small things: understanding”, suggested by the Secretariat of Spirituality of the Augustinian Recollects and presented by the national president, Maricela Valles, followed by group reflection and sharing.
This was followed by a Eucharist presided over by the vicar of the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, the Augustinian Recollect Juan Carlos Avitia, who proposed the experience of the Augustinian Recollect charism as an authentic gift and a responsibility, as a matter of personal identity that, at the same time, must be shared with others.
During the homily of this votive Mass of Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, he presented in broad outline the theme of the Jubilee 2025 “Pilgrims of hope”, which will begin this Christmas Eve; and encouraged everyone to participate in a synodal and co-responsible Church.
After the homily, María Luz Gutiérrez and Priscila Quezada made their promises as members of the Fraternity of Saint Rita and Soledad Carabaña as a member of the Fraternity of Getafe. They were accompanied by their families and by the presidents and advisors of both Fraternities.
The president of the celebration invited the three to discover God in their hearts by reinforcing the value of interiority and then transform this personal encounter into a mission and testimony that this charism is worthwhile as a path to happiness.
At the end of the ceremony, the national president led a thanksgiving for the new members and remembered with special affection those who were absent from this day for health reasons.
During the rest of the day there was a fraternization with Christmas carols, and a meeting to plan activities for 2025, which include the Lenten retreat, a Marian meeting and a pilgrimage, probably in October, to Augustinian places in Italy such as Tolentino, Cassia, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano or Montefalco.