During the last week of November, the Ordinary Provincial Chapter of Ecuador was held in the house of St. Francis de Sales in the city of Quito.
The meeting, which brought together 20 Augustinian friars, was presided over by the Assistant General for Latin America, Father Alexander Lam, who represented the Prior General, who regretted his absence due to health reasons preventing his presence. Father Alejandro, however, wanted to address his Augustinian brothers despite his convalescence and sent a telematic greeting to all the participants in order to encourage them, insisting on “the brothers of the Province of San Miguel del Ecuador”, says Father Lam, “the importance of reconciliation, mutual forgiveness in the community and the promotion of unity” within the Order.
“There was generally a very cordial and respectful atmosphere during the discussions of these days and in the presentation of the reports from the different communities, on their life...”. “When it came to the renewal of the statutes, the brothers preferred to create a commission to incorporate some modifications and improvements to be presented at the intermediate chapter.” “I can see that the Chapters and these meetings allow the brothers to enjoy the fact of being together”, assures the Assistant General Alexander Lam. ‘At those times the brothers are not tied to their positions and responsibilities, allowing them to live together for a few days in a relaxed way, fraternizing with each other and bringing their positions and opinions closer together’.
This chapter marked the end of the leadership of Fr. Wilson Postligua who yielded the responsibility to Fr. Carlos Julio Urbina, elected by the Vicar Provincial of Colombia, Fr. Ronal Antívar Muriel, and his governing council, following the guidelines and determinations made by both provincial councils two years ago.
“I would also say that, in general, there was a great attitude and very good spirit on the part of the new government of Ecuador at the time of welcoming the guidelines offered during my last visit of renewal on behalf of the Prior General to the Province,” notes Father Lam.
At that time, the Father Assistant General was able to travel more than 2,500 kilometers of mountains and jungle over two weeks, passing through beautiful locations, parishes, houses and Augustinian communities that make up the Province of San Miguel del Ecuador.
One of the issues that was present and on which the friars expressed their desire to work is the collaboration agreement between the provinces of Ecuador and Colombia, renewed in 2022. The agreement offers both realities a framework allowing them to continue “a principled dynamic of mutual help in facing the educational, pastoral, vocational and initial formation challenges”.
A future school and a future parish despite the shortage of personnel
The Augustinian Province of San Miguel of Ecuador continues with its missionary work and does not plan to stop: “It is surprising to see that, in spite of the limitations of personnel, our friars maintain the spirit of wanting to continue challenging themselves to respond to the pastoral realities and possibilities that have opened up in order to grow”.
As we reported after the last canonical visitation, in the last year the school of Guayaquil has concluded its renovations, improving its facilities and the educational leadership project. In the same city, for some time now, the Augustinians have been managing, coordinating and promoting the volunteer work of the Lord of Good Hope, an initiative that provides food daily to more than 800 people in situations of extreme vulnerability.
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