{"id":2196,"date":"2026-11-07T13:12:03","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T12:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agustinosconelpapa.com\/noticias\/the-augustinians-in-uruguay-joyfully-experience-their-encounter-with-leo-xiv\/"},"modified":"2026-11-07T13:13:52","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T12:13:52","slug":"the-augustinians-in-uruguay-joyfully-experience-their-encounter-with-leo-xiv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agustinosconelpapa.com\/en\/news\/the-augustinians-in-uruguay-joyfully-experience-their-encounter-with-leo-xiv\/","title":{"rendered":"The Augustinians in Uruguay Joyfully Experience Their Encounter with Leo XIV"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five Augustinian friars share the emotion of having participated in the Vespers presided over by the Pope in Montevideo. The Pontiff’s closeness, the renewal of their vocation, and the hope of strengthening the Augustinian presence in Uruguay mark their testimonies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A smile from the Pope, an anticipated encounter, and an experience that renews one’s vocation. This is how the Augustinian friars in Uruguay describe their participation in the Vespers presided over by Leo XIV on Friday, November 6, in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Montevideo, during his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.<\/p>\n

For the friars, the encounter held a particularly intimate meaning. They not only received the Successor of Peter but also a brother who shares their spiritual roots in Saint Augustine. Friar William, Friar Rafael, Friar Wesley, Friar Mauricio, and Jos\u00e9 Luis shared their impressions after the celebration, agreeing on three sentiments: joy, hope, and renewal.<\/p>\n

A Smile the Friars Will Not Forget<\/h2>\n

Friar William, parish priest of the Augustinian community in Uruguay, especially remembers the moment Leo XIV passed near them. Among the numerous faithful who came to greet him, one gesture remained etched in his memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he saw us, the Augustinians<\/strong>, he gave us a big smile,\u201d recounts the religious, still moved by the experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For Friar William, the celebration was a source of profound joy, both for those who waited for the Pontiff along his route and for those who were able to accompany him inside the cathedral. That smile held a particular meaning: the intimate recognition of a spiritual family that shares the same Augustinian tradition with the Pope.<\/p>\n

Friar Rafael, vicar of Santa Rita parish and collaborator in the college’s pastoral care, also experienced the celebration as an opportunity to renew the meaning of his religious dedication.<\/p>\n

\u201cExperiencing Vespers with the Holy Father was a moment of renewal and great joy,\u201d he explains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For him, receiving the Pope in Uruguay represents a grace for the entire Catholic community of the country, but it takes on a special meaning for those who share the spirituality of Saint Augustine with Leo XIV.<\/p>\n

Friar Wesley summarizes his experience with few words, but full of meaning. Participating for the first time in Vespers presided over by the Pope represented for him \u201ca great renewal of faith and hope\u201d for Uruguay.<\/p>\n

The Augustinian Key: Where Is Our Heart Set?<\/h2>\n

The friars’ experience finds a special resonance in the homily Leo XIV delivered to the consecrated persons gathered in the cathedral. The Pontiff recalled that the human heart eventually resembles what it loves and warned of the danger of becoming trapped in our works, in recognition, or in the need to have everything under control.<\/p>\n

This reflection can be read from one of Saint Augustine’s fundamental insights: the distinction between uti<\/em> (to use) and frui<\/em> (to enjoy), developed in his work On Christian Doctrine<\/em>.<\/p>\n