The St. Augustine Postulancy of the Augustinian Recollects in Mexico City was the host house for the annual Lenten retreat of the Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternities of the center of the country (Querétaro, Morelos, State of Mexico and Mexico City).
On Thursday, March 8, the Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternities of Mexico City (Saint Augustine Postulancy, Hospitales, Santa Mónica, Churubusco, Avante, Tecamachalco), Querétaro and Cuernavaca celebrated the annual Lenten retreat under the motto “Let us walk together in hope.”
The local community prepared a cozy tent for the development of the activities, with the constant help and assistance of the postulants so that everything developed according to the program.
The president of the Secular Fraternities in the country, Lourdes Laraque, welcomed everyone before proceeding to the first activity, a Eucharistic adoration prepared by the Fraternity of Saint Monica.
Rosaluz Galindo then spoke about accompaniment, basing her intervention on the Instructive Document for Accompaniment of the Secular Fraternity. A dynamic led by the Fraternity of Hospitals served as an interlude. It was a commentary on the Seven Words of Jesus on the cross applied to daily life.
The Augustinian Recollect Jorge Quirós spoke of “The Pilgrim’s Backpack.” He showed the objects contained in the backpacks carried by a religious and a postulant: the map (Sacred Scripture), food (Eucharist), water (Baptism), clothing (grace), the stick (companions)… A story (below) served as an explanation of the dynamic.
The meal was completely shared with the food what each one had previously prepared and it was arranged so that each one could choose his lunch.
In the afternoon, the postulants performed sacred music: Caritas abundat, The mise thiel, Kyrie the Angelis Mass, Anima Christi, Stabat Mater, En tus manos and Cruz Santa before the Eucharist presided by the vicar of Mexico and Costa Rica, the Augustinian Recollect Martín Luengo, which served as the closing of the day.
Fraternity goes on a trip
In a distant town there was a woman called “Fraternity” who, like everyone else, felt the deep longing to find the meaning of her life. She often dreamed of a wonderful place, full of peace and light, which she wanted to reach with all her being: Heaven.
One day, a wise old man (the Eagle of Hippo, they called him) approached her and gave her an ancient map that showed the way to that much desired destination: “This map will guide you, but it will not be an easy path,” said the old man. “Only those who are faithful to their faith and keep their eyes on the final goal can reach it.”
Fraternity, with her heart full of hope and determination, began her journey. The first step was to desire the Heaven she longed for in her heart: that desire represented her faith and her trust in God’s promises. She knew that her life here on earth was just a step towards something much greater and eternal.
The journey would not be easy, so Fraternity prepared her backpack well and put on good shoes, which represented humility and conversion. One does not walk with pride or believing oneself to be better than others. She was willing to change, to leave bad habits behind and follow the example of Christ.
She found a river of clear water and thought about her baptism, the sacrament that cleanses us of sin and makes us reborn in Christ. She immersed herself in the water feeling how her soul was purified, marking her identity as a daughter of God. Her life would no longer be the same.
In her backpack she carried energy bars, which were compared to the Eucharist. Every time she wanted to stop or felt tired or doubtful, she would stop to eat a bar that gave her strength to continue forward. Just like the Eucharist, which spiritually nourishes the Christian, these bars were the source of energy that kept her firm on her path.
Fraternity wore clothing appropriate for each circumstance, representing the grace of God. Clothing protects and covers the body and the grace of God surrounded her and gave her the protection to overcome adversity. As she moved forward, she felt that the grace of God strengthened her and helped her overcome difficulties.
Yes, Fraternity encountered difficulties, but she always had her map at hand, her destination was clear: Heaven. The map was the Word of God, which always guides in life, showing the right direction, even when the path becomes uncertain.
On her journey, she also realized that she could not make the journey alone. She needed the company of others; the Christian journey is never traveled alone. The community is the group of pilgrims who support each other, reminding each other of the Gospel teachings and sharing hope in the final destination.
Fraternity continued the journey with a firm step, knowing that, although the difficulties were many, her faith in God and the help of his grace would sustain her until the end. Each step brought her closer to Heaven, and as she advanced, her heart was filled with peace and confidence. And she continues to make her pilgrimage with the support of the advice of the Eagle of Hippo, of her community and of the teachings of the Master.
