General renewal visitation to the Province of Italy concludes

Between February and April 2025, Fr. Javier Pérez Barba, OSA, Assistant General for Southern Europe, carried out the visitation of renewal in the Province of Italy, in accordance with the Order's Constitutions. The visit included 20 communities across the Italian peninsula, with additional visits to Sicily and Košice (Slovakia).

Throughout the three phases of the visit, the Assistant General held personal conversations with nearly a hundred friars and presided over a local chapter in each community. These dialogues were fraternal, lengthy, and enriching, allowing the brothers to freely and deeply share their personal experiences, as well as various aspects of community and provincial life.

Fr. Javier expressed his profound gratitude for the warm welcome received in every house and, especially, for the friars' willingness to engage in dialogue. “The visit was a privileged opportunity to listen to the joys and hopes, as well as the difficulties and concerns that shape the life of this historic Province today.”

800 Years of History

The Province of Italy preserves and transmits a rich spiritual heritage. It safeguards houses of great historical significance to the Order—some dating back to its juridical foundation—and is known for its strong practice of communal prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours. It also maintains a deep commitment to pastoral work, including the administration of sacraments, welcoming pilgrims to shrines, churches, and parishes, and providing spiritual guidance to numerous faithful.

The communities in Italy demonstrate a sincere commitment to fostering and strengthening fraternal life, both internally and in relation to the broader circumscription. They recognize that this aspect is essential for their Augustinian identity and their evangelizing mission.

Vocational Ministry as a Priority

In a context marked by the progressive aging of communities and a decline in the number of friars, youth and vocational ministry has become a strategic priority for the Province. Communities are intensifying their efforts to accompany young people in their vocational discernment, offering opportunities for gatherings, formation, and communal life experiences. A hopeful sign of this commitment is the recent participation of nine young men in a vocational gathering, reflecting the collaborative efforts of provincial and local leaders.

These communities are welcoming and skilled at building strong ties with lay collaborators. Promoting hospitality and an authentically Augustinian approach to managing apostolic efforts remains another key priority for the Province.

Currently, the Province of Italy comprises 19 communities in Italy, one in Slovakia, and the Vicariate of Apurimac in Peru.