Pope Leo XIV meets the Augustinian Family at the Apostolic Nunciature
For the Augustinian Family, perhaps the most significant moment of Pope Leo XIV’s journey to Spain was the meeting with the Holy Father at the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain, which took place today, Sunday, June 7.
A long-awaited moment, prepared with great enthusiasm, attended by 205 Augustinian friars of the Province of Saint John of Sahagún, 8 contemplative Augustinian nuns (2 representatives from each of the four federations of contemplative Augustinian nuns in Spain), 3 Augustinian Recollect friars and four Augustinian Recollect nuns. Also present were the Superior General of the Augustinian Sisters of Amparo, the Superior General of the Augustinian Missionary Sisters and the Federal Mother of the cloistered Augustinian Recollect nuns.
The group gathered for lunch at Valdeluz School in Madrid and from there travelled by coach to the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain.
Closeness and unity
The meeting began with a greeting from the Provincial Superior. The Pope addressed those present, among them the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, with words of thanks for the opportunity of this meeting, stressing how communion and unity of heart among Augustinians can be a message for the world at this historic moment.
Pope Leo XIV said it is a message to be taken to young people, like those in the Plaza de Lima yesterday evening, who bore witness to their questions and their spiritual search.
Mentioning the presence of the contemplative sisters, the Pope highlighted the value of their vocation, which also gives meaning to social action, at a time when silence and the human capacity to enter one’s own heart are being lost.
Finally, before greeting each of them individually, the Pope invited everyone to pray the Our Father together and gave them his blessing.
Gift
As a keepsake of his apostolic journey to Spain and a sign of faithfulness, the Province of Saint John of Sahagún, to which the Augustinians of Spain belong, gave the Pope a mitre with Augustinian symbols designed by Filippo Sorcinelli, as a token of affection and gratitude.
