We speak with our friars at the end of the Ordinary General Chapter: One heart and one soul toward God

On the afternoon of September 18, the capitular brothers listened to the solemn reading of the Acts of the 188th Ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine.

It was a Chapter filled with innovative thinking, changes agreed upon point by point in the instrumentum laboris, and long days of group work and plenary assemblies to support the Prior General and his newly elected Council in a strategic plan for the next six years.

We spoke with some of our brothers from different circumscriptions around the world to learn about their experience of these weeks, which now remain as a memory of their pilgrimage as Augustinians.

We begin with Fr. Carlos de la Cruz, Vicar General of Panama, who during these days witnessed the Chapter’s openness to the creation of a new Province for the Order: the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Panama and Costa Rica.

Fr. Carlos de la Cruz: “We leave with deep gratitude for the trust the Order has in our journey.”

“This is the second time I’ve participated in a General Chapter, but the first as a vicar superior. It’s been a beautiful experience to meet so many Augustinian brothers from around the world, to learn about the diverse realities that make up the Order through conversations, group work, and dialogue…”.

“This Chapter,” continues Fr. De la Cruz, “had a special component for us: presenting the proposal to become a Province, something we’ve worked on in recent years with the friars of the vicariate. Arriving here and sharing our project with the brothers, sensing their openness and joy, is certainly a reason for happiness, hope, and gratitude for the trust the Order places in our journey.”

The Order has been present in Panama for over sixty years. Since 1992, vocational work has been notable, with the emergence of native vocations, while maintaining and achieving a fundamental economic base for this new step. “We are aware of our limits, but it’s a beautiful experience of the Order’s trust in our process.”

Images of a new Chapter in the Order

Fr. Génesis Labana, from the Province of the Holy Child of Cebu is currently in Rome for further studies and supporting the General Curia in communications. His collaboration has been essential these weeks in supporting the website, providing daily chronicles with Frs. Bitrus and Luiz Antonio, and adding content updates. “If I had to choose one photo from all those I’ve taken during the Chapter, I’d pick the one of the Pope at the Patristicum pouring water and serving the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Farrell. It’s a simple, beautiful gesture that reflects the spirit of service the Successor of Peter offers others. I’d also highlight the many photos where brothers expressed friendship, affection, and closeness as Augustinians.”

Fr. Colm O’Mahony, from Ireland: “We face great challenges”

Fr. Colm O’Mahony, from the Province of Ireland, says this is his second time participating in an Ordinary General Chapter. “It’s undoubtedly a great opportunity to meet Augustinians from around the world and learn firsthand what’s happening in different places where the Order is present, like Cuba, Pakistan, or Panama.”

“As for the major challenges we face, in the northern European provinces, notable is the average age and the decline in the number of friars. But in Ireland, we face it with hope, thanks to the presence of four students with us. We are a very active Province in education and social justice.”

Fr. Isaac Estévez, from the Province of Saint John of Sahagún: “Expanding the horizon in search of truth”

For Fr. Estévez, this Chapter—his first—is a unique experience of encounter and of gaining a deeper understanding of the Order. “I enjoyed being able to communicate with other brothers, to learn about the realities of so many projects undertaken. It’s a valuable exchange of different perspectives, yet a global mindset which is none other than the intention to expand our horizons in search of truth and improve the presence of the Order of Saint Augustine. A General Chapter is a moment of encounter and understanding, of listening, synodality, and empathy.”

A renewed perspective from India

One of the youngest friars to participate in a Chapter, the Vicar General of Our Lady of Grace in Kerala, India, believes that beyond the intense workdays, there was also time for recreation, with joyful and communal moments.

“In our English-speaking working groups, I was able to learn and see different realities; sharing how we see things in detail—something that was perhaps more difficult in plenary sessions.”

“We know many brothers, but not all, and a Chapter is always a good opportunity to discuss many issues. It’s a very useful dynamic—referring to the working groups that examined the instrumentum laboris point by point—which fosters closeness and trust. What stays with me is the fact that there are contrasting and very different realities within the Order. The formation and student realities in our U.S. provinces are not the same as those in Kerala, for example.”

They allowed us to listen to one another, to see the greatness of the Order, to discern and decide which proposals should be carried out for the good of all"

Fr. Juan Antonio Gil Solórzano, from the Vicariate of Argentina: “Vocations, common goods, formation, and mission”

Fr. Gil Solórzano was one of the capitular brothers who, divided into Spanish, English, and Italian-speaking groups, participated in the days of fraternal discernment. “We were able to dedicate time to vocations, the importance of sharing and pooling our resources, formation issues, the structure of the Order, and also matters related to mission.”

“I believe the working groups and plenary sessions allowed us to listen to one another, see the greatness of the Order, discern and decide which proposals should be carried out for the good of all, and which should simply be eliminated or changed. It’s a work of communion, from listening and humility, to discover which aspects are most important to continue in the coming years.”

Fr. Kosmas Asenga, from the Vicariate of Tanzania: “One heart and one soul toward God”

“I joined the Spanish-speaking group, and the dialogue on the instrumentum laboris was very dynamic. We shared Augustinian life experiences from different places but with the same root: Christ and Augustine. We commented that having ‘one heart and one soul toward God,’ grounded in love, is a value needed in every place where the Order is present.

In the African regional group, we discussed how to improve our presence and deepen Augustinian spirituality.

We also did an examination of conscience and reflected on our responsibility as Augustinians in Africa to support Pope Leo XIV in building the Kingdom of God.”

Fr. José Alberto Escobar, from the delegation of Cuba: beauty, challenges, and difficulties in a complex place

Our Augustinian brother in Cuba, representing the island reality at the Chapter, believes that “it’s very important for us to share our life there, the social situation they face, and the work the Order does through parishes and projects, not without difficulties.”

“In particular, aspects like the formation of friars who join the mission to carry it out with stability are very important. Not only those of us who are there, but others from the region or any other circumscription must consider the uniqueness of our presence so they can come and collaborate. All these aspects emerged in the groups and were brought to the general assembly. I was able to extensively present the life of the delegation and the communities. For us, it’s a very important moment to participate and contribute.”

Fr. Anthony Pizzo, Provincial of Chicago: “We listened well”

For Father Pizzo, this is the third Chapter he has participated in. “It has been a very positive experience. Everything was very well organized. In the English-speaking group, everyone shared a lot and attentively listened to each other’s contributions. In my experience, the presentation of reports in the plenary session reflects what is discussed in the groups. I’m satisfied with this methodology that includes all the voices of the capitular friars.

 I was fortunate to be chosen as one of the three moderators in the working sessions, and I was able to see how all our brothers could propose, modify, express their views, and feel heard. These spaces are created, and as a moderator, that’s something to truly appreciate.”

Step by step, the brothers are returning to their places of origin, to share the echoes of these days where there was time to draw closer to what unites and channels the grace with which the Order feels blessed, protected, and guided.

The Chapter concludes—a new page begins in the history of the Order.