On Saturday 1st June the Augustinians of Portugal celebrated the official closing of the events celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the return of the Order of Saint Augustine to Portugal. Reporting: Amparo Latre, from the Communications Office of the Province of St John of Sahagún and the Communications Office of the General Curia.
The day’s events took place in what was once the "Mother House" of the Augustinians in Portugal - the Convent of Our Lady of Grace - which perches majestically atop one of the seven hills of the city of Lisbon.
After several months of preparation with parish communities, youth groups and Augustinian lay fraternities, the day finally arrived. "We dreamed of a memorable day, in an iconic setting, with a strong presence of all those who made the return of the Order and its consolidation in Portugal from 1974 to today, possible,” says Fr Joao Silva in a letter to the communication office of the Province and the General Curia, “and of all those who, in one way or another, owe to our presence here much of what we are today: fraternities, youth, Monica Mothers, families, children, and a long etcetera."
Augustinian friars travelled from Spain, Rome and Brazil to take part in the celebrations. Over the preceding days, brothers and sisters of the Order arrived early to ensure that they did not miss this opportunity to mark such an important event in Lisbon. Among them, Prior General Fr Alejandro Moral, Assistant General Fr Javier Pérez Barba, Provincial Fr Domingo Amigo, and many brothers who, having served in Portugal, wanted to return now.
Fr Alejandro during the Eucharist of the 50th anniversary: "Past and future, memory and promise meet in this celebration"
At 6:30pm, the Prior General presided over the Eucharist, which was concelebrated by more than 20 priests, Augustinians and seculars, and in which young people took special prominence.
Father Alejandro, during his homily, took the opportunity to recognize the value of the Order in Portugal: "I am sure that all the Augustinian friars who have worked, and are working here now, like our first Portuguese missionaries, have placed man, son of God and our brother, at the heart of your mission. Our father St Augustine tells us, "Who are those who work in the building of this House? Those sharing the mysteries of God. We all toil, we all work, we all build now; and others toiled, worked and built before us; but if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders toil." (Commentary on Psalm 126).
"Today,” noted the Prior General, “we want in a very special way to give thanks to God, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of the Sabbath for having accompanied and guided us during these fifty years of presence in our beloved Portugal. Fifty years being in these beautiful and beloved lands; for our faith in the Risen Lord and our communion with him and with our brothers."
Fr Alejandro concluded his homily by adding, “Enough time has passed, but not so much time that we couldn’t stop on the way. Past and future, memory and promise meet here in this celebration. Let us look to the past with gratitude; as we look to the future with hope. You, Lord Jesus, are our horizon. We walk towards you. For "you have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts will be restless until they rest in you". Until then, Mary, Our Lady of Grace, pray for us."
Bringing 50 years of history up-to-date
Prior to Holy Mass, there was an opportunity for those present at the celebrations to see the travelling exhibition, “Past, Present and Future”.
More than three hundred people gathered before "the attentive - and surely proud - gaze of St Augustine", the image that presides over the old convent porch. It was there that the Prior General spoke a few words about the presence and history of the Augustinians, supported by Prior Provincial Father Domingo Amigo, Fr Félix Aliste (who arrived in Portugal in 1977), a representative of the lay Augustinian fraternities, and a young man from Portuguese Augustinian Youth (JAP).
After the speeches, a commemorative plaque was given to each of the Augustinian men and women who passed through the communities of Portugal, to the representatives of the Augustinian groups, and to the authorities present. Afterwards, in the cloister of the convent, guests were able to enjoy the spirit of communion and joy, prompting Fr Joao to say, "We blew out the birthday candles and toasted with heartfelt thanks for the 50 years we have been here and, above all, for the many more that we pray the Good Lord may have in store for us. On behalf of all the Augustinians in Portugal, thank you for having been available to be here. Pray for us, as we pray for you," said Fr Joao.
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