Chronicle: 6 September 2025

ORDINARY GENERAL CHAPTER 2025:
CHRONICLE
DAY 6: 6th September 2025, Saturday

On this sixth day, Saturday, 6th September 2025, the 188th Ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine convened in Rome, continuing its significant deliberations.

The day commenced at 7:30 AM with the celebration of Mass and Morning Lauds in the Chapel situated on the second floor of St. Monica College. The sacred liturgy was presided over by P. Kosmas Baltazar Asenga, the Superior of the Vicariate of Tanzania, who also delivered the homily. His discourse centered upon the themes of renovatio et accomodatio (renewal and adaptation), as proposed to religious by the Second Vatican Council's decree Perfectae Caritatis. P. Asenga underscored the law of love as the definitive measure for Christian life, particularly for religious, asserting that without love and mercy, the law becomes a source of suffering and injustice. True renewal, he argued, necessitates a return to the foundational sources of Christian life and the original inspiration of the institutes, adapted to the changing times. Emphasizing the pursuit of Christ and fidelity to the Order's charism as paramount, he suggested that a General Chapter serves as an opportune moment to discern whether the Order's path is guided by love and mercy or constrained by rigid adherence to law and tradition. He concluded by recalling Saint Augustine's counsel to "love and do what you will," asserting that love itself is the highest law, and reiterated Augustine's prayer from the Rule, urging observance of norms with love, as free individuals under grace.

Following the morning rites, the delegates gathered for an opening prayer, seeking divine guidance from the Holy Spirit. Various practical announcements were made regarding daily provisions and an upcoming visit to Genazzano in the afternoon.

A pivotal moment of the day was the Farewell Address of the Outgoing Prior General, P. Alejandro Moral Anton. With deep gratitude, he recalled that all service in the Church begins as a gift and finds fulfillment in charity, stressing that authority must always be exercised as service in love. He reflected on his 35 years in governance, marked by compassion as the guiding motto of his first term and by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of fraternity. P. Alejandro shared his personal journey from his arrival in Rome in 1978, which deepened his vocation and love for diversity in unity, to his years of leadership lived in the spirit of the Constitutions: service over power. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his closest collaborators and brothers who supported the Order, asked forgiveness for any shortcomings, and entrusted the future to his successor with serenity. Looking ahead, he called for authentic renewal founded on three pillars: ongoing formation, fraternal community life with a missionary spirit, and the sharing of goods with Gospel simplicity. He concluded by expressing gratitude for the affection shown to him across the Order, recalling the Augustinian principle: “One heart and one soul directed toward God.”His address was met with a heartfelt standing ovation with heartfelt gratitude, and Fr. Farrell, on behalf of the General Curia, affirmed that "Service is not born in power or authority but service is born in charity".

The Chapter then proceeded with the exploratory sounding for the election of his successor, as prescribed by Const. 428. Each of the 73 capitular friars submitted three preferred names, while the appointed tellers, P. Juraj Pigula, P. Michael Bielecki, and Elias Enrique Neia Arellano, oversaw the process. The assembly was reminded of the canonical requirements for the role (Const. 430), emphasizing maturity in age and profession, good reputation, governance experience, knowledge of sacred sciences, and the ability to foster unity. As the ballots were counted, the delegates joined in midday prayer at the Augustinianum and later shared lunch at Collegio Santa Monica. The results were to be communicated to the capitulars by email.

In the afternoon, more than half of the delegates embarked on a visit to the Basilica of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano. The friars were warmly received by the local community, led by their Prior and Parish Priest, P. Ludovico Centra, OSA, who provided a brief historical account of the devotion to Our Lady and the Basilica, emphasizing the Augustinians' role in its propagation. This visit proved to be a moment of spiritual Marian encounter, recalling the visit of Pope Leo XIV after his election. The friars were afforded time to pray before the revered fresco of the Madonna and Child, each offering the Hail Mary in their native tongue. This pilgrimage was deemed an opportune moment to seek the counsel of Our Lady as the Chapter prepared for the election of the new Prior General of the Order.