Chronicle: 15 September 2025

CHRONICLE: 15TH SEPTEMBER

The day commenced with the celebration of the Holy Mass of the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows, presided over by p. Victor Fernandez Santos, of the province of St. John of Sahagun. In his homily, P. Victor emphasized the importance of these days of the general chapter as a Kairos moment of grace to celebrate and recommit ourselves to the things that unite us and make us better Augustinians.

After breakfast, the general assembly resumed at 09:30 am. A few announcements were made at the beginning, followed by a moment of dialogue with our sisters and laity who had shared with us their life and apostolates during the previous session on Saturday morning.

Questions were raised regarding the ways in which we can better collaborate with Augustinian laity and sisters; ways we can be of help to them and they to us; the possibility of establishing their monastic presence where major superiors and diocesan bishops are desirous.

Following a brief coffee break, the chapter members resumed session at 11:00, joined by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. At his arrival, the brothers sang happy birthday to him, after which the prior general welcomed the Holy Father to the chapter, expressing the joy of having an Augustinian brother serving as the pastor of the Universal Church, and thanking him for presiding over the inaugural mass of the chapter. The prior general also shared with the Holy Father the central themes of the Chapter.

The Holy Father greeted and addressed the assembly. He expressed his joy of being at the Chapter and the feeling of being at home. He thanked the outgone prior General, P. Alejandro Moral, for his service to the Order: twelve years as assistant general and twelve years as general. The Holy Father called on the brother to pray for the new general and his counsel.

In his message, the Holy Father emphasized our call to interiority, not as a flight from our responsibility in the world, but as a retreat to draw more strength for the apostolic work we called to do. He also drew attention to some central themes, especially the theme of vocations, formation, studies, and use of temporal goods.

On the theme of formation, he emphasized the need to help young people to appreciate and love the call to spiritual adventure which they have received. On the theme of studies, the Holy Father reminded scholars of the Order to exercise their mission with generosity and humility, eschewing the temptation to feel superior to others. Regarding the use of temporal goods, he emphasized our rule which emphasizes sharing of our material goods.

In conclusion, the Holy Father emphasized the need for us to revive and strengthen our missionary character which has always formed part of the life of our Order, and the need to renew the freshness of our first call. He also wished the brothers well as we approach the end of the Chapter.

After the address, the brothers had a moment of sharing with the Holy Father in form of questions and answers. The questions centred on the Holy Father’s expectations on the Order and his advice on the various challenges in various parts of the world and the Church today.

After the moment of sharing, the Holy Father imparted blessings on the assembly and proceeded to have a group photo. Thereafter the members lined up to greet the Holy Father and to take a chapter photo with him at the entrance to Augustinianum.

With this, the morning session came to an end the members went for a lunch break, in which the Holy Father also partook.

The session resumed at 16:30 pm. A few announcements were taken and the new counsel was inaugurated. Thus the activities of the day were brought to an end, to resume the next day.