The Augustinian friars of the Antilles meet in Puerto Rico.

At the Retreat House of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, the friars of the Vicariate of the Antilles gathered for our Sixth Ordinary Vicariate Chapter. We began arriving at the retreat house from the various communities of Puerto Rico on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 7, together with those coming from the Dominican Republic, who had traveled to Puerto Rico beforehand.

Fr. Carlos José Sánchez, OSA, Provincial Counselor for Latin America and delegate of the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. John of Sahagún to preside over the Chapter, accompanied by Fr. Víctor Fernández, OSA, Provincial Treasurer, were unable to arrive that evening due to flight delays. They therefore authorized the Chapter to begin on the morning of Wednesday, October 8, with the first part of the opening session, as they would be joining us later that afternoon.

Thus, the Vicariate Chapter officially commenced on the morning of October 8. During this initial session, the schedule, regulations, and program of the Chapter were approved, as is customary; likewise, moderators, scrutineers, and other capitular officers were elected. The outgoing Regional Vicar, Fr. Quirilio Matos, OSA, presented his report on the current state of the Vicariate. In addition, the election was held for the BASE Delegate of OALA, resulting in the selection of Fr. José Daniel de la Cruz Quezada, OSA.

We began our afternoon session at 3:00 p.m. with the votive Eucharist of the Holy Spirit, presided over by Fr. Carlos José Sánchez, OSA, who had by then arrived in Cabo Rojo. During this Eucharist, Fr. Rafael Santana Durán, OSA, assumed the duties of Regional Vicar of the Vicariate of the Antilles, and the Vicariate Councilors were confirmed: Fr. Reinaldo Rivera, OSA; Fr. Carlos Cordero, OSA; Fr. Antonio Then, OSA; and Fr. Oscar Jiménez, OSA.

Afterwards, we proceeded to the meeting hall, where Fr. Carlos José Sánchez, OSA, conveyed greetings from Fr. Domingo Amigo, Prior Provincial, who was unable to attend the Vicariate Chapter. Fr. Sánchez then offered us words of encouragement, urging us to seek the best for our Vicariate wholeheartedly, with diligence and authenticity. He reminded us that the purpose of the Chapter is to reflect on our journey—our strengths and our weaknesses alike—and to respond faithfully to what the Church asks of us.

The afternoon session continued with the Vicariate’s financial report presented by Fr. Edwin Lorenzo, OSA, who was concluding his service as Vicariate Treasurer. Finally, we heard the address of the new Regional Vicar, Fr. Rafael Santana Durán, OSA, who delivered his Programmatic Discourse, exhorting us to work together for the Vicariate we all aspire to build.

The second day of the Chapter, Thursday, October 9, was devoted to discussing the proposals submitted to the Vicariate Secretariat. After a brief session explaining the procedure and organizing the working groups, we divided into five groups to examine the proposals. Later, in plenary assembly, each group presented its findings, and the proposals were reviewed and analyzed. We extended the session beyond dinner to complete the scheduled discussions, postponing the final vote to the following day. That day’s Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Héctor Luis Rosario, OSA, Seminary Formator, and was offered for Augustinian Vocations.

The third and final day of our Chapter, Friday, October 10, was marked by the voting on proposals, the group photograph, the reading, approval, and signing of the Acts, among other activities. The closing Eucharist was presided over by the Regional Vicar, Fr. Rafael Santana, OSA, accompanied by the Vicariate Councilors. It was a moment of grace, celebrated on the Feast of St. Thomas of Villanova, inspiring us to give thanks to God for the pastoral and social work we Augustinians continue to carry out in these Antillean lands, and to renew our dedication to fostering vocations.

Chapter Chroniclers:

Fr. Héctor Luis Rosario, OSA

Fr. Oscar Jiménez, OSA