More than 8,000 pilgrims from the Augustinian Family will accompany Pope Leo XIV in Spain

The Augustinian Fr. Isaac Estévez, head of educational ministry on the schools team of the Augustinian Province of Saint John of Sahagún, explains that the spiritual and pastoral axis of this mobilization is the desire to live unity, inspired by the words of the Gospel: “That they may all be one, as you and I are one.”

“That is the main message we have heard, reflected on, shared and lived these days, and it can help us prepare for Pope Leo XIV’s visit: that we may all be one,” he says.

With joint preparation beforehand and the chance to take part together in the main events with the Pope, the Augustinian Family wants to express this communion by bringing together young people, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly in various gatherings, mainly in Madrid, with activities in Barcelona and the Canary Islands as well.

A unity that integrates

For Fr. Isaac, unity is not simply about bringing people together or adding up activities, but about living a true integration of cultures, sensitivities and experiences of faith: “Unity does not mean adding up ideas, thoughts, emotions or activities. It means integrating thoughts, cultures, ideas, reflections and prayers side by side. Integrating our hearts too, so as to live this unique celebration of unity,” he said.

As he explains, this spirit fully matches the message Pope Leo XIV has been sharing with the whole Church since the start of his pontificate: a Church that walks together and knows how to meet amid diversity.

San Agustín School in Madrid, the meeting point

The hub of the Augustinian celebrations will be San Agustín School in Madrid, on Padre Damián Street, next to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. A large Mass of the Augustinian Family will be held there to open the joint events.

Beforehand, around the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Augustinian schools and parishes all over Spain will hold moments of prayer and welcome for the Holy Father.

“We will stop, take a breath and shout together: ‘Long live and welcome, Pope Leo XIV!’” the friar explains.

After the celebration at the school, the pilgrims will take part in the youth vigil in the Plaza de Lima and then in the great Mass and Corpus Christi procession presided over by the Pope in central Madrid.

Education, culture and ecclesial encounter

Activities will continue over the following days with various meetings linked to education, culture and pastoral life. On Sunday there will also be a large gathering at the Movistar Arena focusing especially on education and culture.

On Monday, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium will host another highlight of the visit, with parishes, pastoral councils, religious, priests, lay people and representatives of various congregations and diocesan institutions.

“We want to keep celebrating with Pope Leo as one big family,” says Fr. Isaac.

Finally, on Tuesday there will be a farewell and thank-you event for the volunteers who will make all the planned events possible.

An ecclesial and Augustinian experience

The mobilization of the Augustinian Family aims to be a visible sign of communion within the Church and also a concrete expression of the Augustinian charism, deeply marked by fraternity and shared life.

For thousands of Augustinians and Augustinian Recollects, Pope Leo XIV’s visit will be a privileged occasion to renew their faith, strengthen communion and publicly show the evangelizing commitment of the whole Augustinian family in Spain.

The Augustinian Family

Today the Augustinian family continues to live that same vocation of communion through the diversity of its branches. In Spain it is made up of the Augustinians, the Augustinian Recollects, the Augustinian nuns, the Augustinian Recollect nuns, the Augustinian Missionary Sisters, the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters, the Augustinian Sisters of Amparo, the Comendadoras de Santiago and the Assumptionists, who share one charism and one spiritual heritage.