The Saint Augustine House of Formation of the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine of the Augustinian Recollects has as its main purpose to house the scope and environment of development of the last stage of initial formation. The professed with a priestly vocation carry out the studies for the priesthood, and together they grow in knowledge and depth of charismatic experience.

This secluded community is within the limits of the Parish of Saint Michael Archangel. The collaboration between both institutions, the Augustinian Recollect community and the Parish, includes mutual presence in major celebrations, support in youth ministry, catechesis and prayer workshops.

The parochial vicar, one of the young women and two Recollect religious offer their vision of this meaningful collaboration for the Parish and the religious community.

Father Jesus Torres

I recently began my ministry as parochial vicar, after being ordained a priest on June 20, 2020, shortly after the confinement of the pandemic ended. Starting my priestly life in those circumstances has helped me a lot to learn to be a priest in the spirit of the Synod: "Walking together" has been and is essential to respond to what we are experiencing at this time.

In this Parish I can enjoy many brothers and sisters willing to let themselves be accompanied, to help and to walk together towards Jesus: children, young people, parents, the elderly, men and women religious. This helps me in a special way in my vocation.

With the Augustinian Recollects there is a very fraternal relationship. Seeing the joy of these young professed who continue with their formation, their way of life and proposals undoubtedly enriches my mission as a priest.

Natalie

I am a young woman who wants to live thirsty and in need of the Lord. Every day the Lord shows me this need through my parish community, serving and loving in the tasks offered by the Church, a living Church.

The Lord moves me to walk with my brothers. I recognize that I do not do this path alone, I am always accompanied. The parish community allows us to feel loved and confident that someone is praying for you.

The grace of God is manifested in the brothers, because if I get lost there is always someone who guides me back to the Lord. My desire to know more about Him increases with the love and accompaniment of the consecrated through their example of life, their formation and their company. I can recognize in them the face of Christ.

The community makes me fall more in love with Him. For me, walking together means that we all are and come from the Father, it allows me to see the other as my brother. Living in community increases my faith and makes me recognize every day that we are beloved children of God.

With my heart widened by such a beautiful vocation, I invite everyone to this experience of being one. Let us live this ecclesial stage with great hope, knowing that Jesus asks us for unity: “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).

Friar Bernardo, Augustinian Recollect

In the parish of Saint Michael, I collaborate in vocational promotion and with the “Parresía” youth group, which meets every Thursday for Adoration and a lively Eucharist. It is a very enriching experience, I learn from them and make a path of accompaniment together with them.

Above all, we listen to the young person, and listening involves learning from him. It is a task as difficult as it is exciting that tells us that, without love, there is no synodality: there is no path of communion without allowing one's heart to be touched.

This is how I live my vocation, from a tone of service to accompany and humility to be accompanied, of sharing experiences and life and always being ready for what the Church asks. This makes me grow in faith and in perseverance for the service of the Church.

Friar Ednando, Augustinian Recollect

I have been serving young people in the Parish for a year collaborating with the Vocation Ministry. In this way I try to live my vocation from the dimension of service to the Church, to donate my life where and how the Church needs me.

This parish experience allows me to feel more like the Church, “walking together”, which at the same time is one of the pillars of the Augustinian Recollect charism to which I feel called: ecclesiastically.

I am very excited about this close relationship with the priests, nuns and young people of the Parish. It's all learning. In particular, I ask the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, my patron saint, and Saint Augustine to help us make a community of brothers who walk together towards a more perfect life, helping and working in the Church.