The meeting took place at the Archbishop’s House in Barcelona and lasted about half an hour in an atmosphere described by the Holy See as “affectionate and friendly.”
Around twenty-five members of different branches of the Augustinian family present in Spain took part.
At the end of the meeting, he imparted his blessing to those present and greeted each one personally.
The Augustinians of Raval, present at the meeting
Also among the attendees were the four members of the international community that carries out its pastoral work in the Raval district, one of Barcelona’s most complex and multicultural areas.
Coming from the Philippines and Tanzania, these religious work in the parishes of San Roque, San Agustín, and the Immaculate Conception and San Lorenzo Ruiz, where they serve communities of different nationalities and collaborate in educational, social, and assistance projects.
Their work includes care for immigrants, accompaniment of people in vulnerable situations, and collaboration with material aid and human promotion initiatives promoted by the parishes.
A religious family mobilized by the papal visit
The visit of Pope Leo XIV has sparked notable mobilization among members of the Augustinian family in Spain. According to Vatican News, more than 8,000 people linked to the spirituality of Saint Augustine participated in the events held in Madrid during the first days of the apostolic journey.
Contemplative communities have also wanted to join this visit. Augustinian nuns from Seville and Huelva made bracelets to express their spiritual closeness to the Pontiff, while the Augustinian Recollect nuns of the monastery of Santa Isabel in Madrid sent him the traditional “San Alonso pastries,” accompanied by a letter recalling past encounters with him when he was prior general of the order.
A charism at the service of evangelization
The meeting held in Barcelona allowed the Pope to meet with religious who carry out their apostolate in very diverse fields, from parish care to accompanying immigrants and people in need.
With his call to go beyond their own environments and share the richness of spiritual life with those outside religious communities, Pope Leo XIV once again insisted on an idea that has appeared frequently during this apostolic journey: a Church present in the daily life of people and committed to evangelization through closeness and service.