Between the 2nd and the 5th of March, our Prior Provincial fr Leslie Gatt participated in a meeting for the Superiors of the English Speaking Circumscriptions of the Order of Saint Augustine, which was held on the Campus of the Saint Augustine University in Iloilo, in the Philippines. The meeting was attended by the Prior General, the assistant generals for Africa and Oceania, and the Prior Provincials or superiors of the Augustinians from North America, Ireland, England, Malta, Australia, Philippines, Indonasia, India, Kenya and Tanzanja.
The meeting offered an opportunity to share the different Augustinian realities in the respective countries around the world, together with an effort to find and strengthen different ways of collaboration. In fact the first day was dedicated to the presentation of the present reality and challanges of all the circumpscriptions presented by each superior. Than discussions took place covering various topics such as: Initial formation; Policies of the Safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults; our reaction in the context of particular political realities and populist politicians around the world; the sustainability of projects in countries lacking basic financial resourses; the attention to the ederly; the presence of the Major Superior in the communities.
Apart from the topics discussed, the meeting offered a good opportunity to share beautiful moments of fraternal communion together. The welcome given by the Philippines and the Augustinian University of Iloilo were undoubtedly a witness of such Augustinian communion.

On Monday 2 March, the the Provincial Commission for the Laity organised a Lenten Penitential Service. The service took place at the Chapel of St Monica's School, Birkirkara. After the celebration of Mass, Mr Godfrey Scicluna, a member of the commission, led the penitential service. Sr. Vania Bonello, an Augustinian nun, shared a reflection on the theme "Take up your bed, and walk." This reflection was well received. There were several Augustinian Friars available for confession.

During this time, other appropriate reflections taken from the writings of various Augustinian Saints and Blesseds were shared. The celebration closed with a Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Between Friday 28 February and Sunday 1 March 2020 28 participants of the Augustinian Institute’s 2029-2020 courses took part in a Live-In at the Qawra Palace Hotel, Qawra. On Friday at 4.30 p.m. Fr. Franco Grech OSA gave a talk on the ‘Current role of the Augustinian Laity within the Malta Augustinian Province’. So as to promote discussion, copies were circulated of the document ‘On the Way with St. Augustine’ prepared by the Augustinian Lay Fraternities.

Fr. Pierre Desira OSA led the Eucharistic celebration on Saturday 29 February at 5.30 p.m.. That same morning at 8.30 attendees gathered for morning prayers animated by Fr. P Mario Attard ofm cap..  At 11.00 Fr. Attard delivered an eloquent talk on St. Augustin’s writings on Lent quoting excerpts from the Saint’s ‘Confessions’.

At 4 p.m. we got together for a talk during a Eucharistic celebration. On Sunday 1 March morning prayers at 08.30 a.m. were led by Fr. Salvinu Caruana OSA who also celebrated the Eucharist at 11.00 a.m. All participants expressed stated how pleased they were to have attended the Live-In and expressed a wish that this becomes an annual event.

During the past few days I spent four days with Fr. Lucjan in Cuba. In Havana, the capital, Fr. Lucjan lives with another Spanish religious (Fr. Miguel Angel). In fact, now the entire Cuba delegation, where we have three communities, falls under the jurisdiction of the new Spanish Province.

I need hardly say that they gave me a very warm welcome and it was a positive experience witnessing their work and for me to share with them these few days. The community in which they live is also a parish church and Fr. Miguel Angel is its Parish Priest. Our brother Lucjan is keeping well and his work is mainly in the academic field but he also assists with the pastoral needs of the parish.

What strikes one is the fact that the people are generally poor and are deprived of so many of the essentials of life. Nonetheless throughout the country, and even in the capital city itself where the friars live, there are beautiful buildings and tourists abound. Before the revolution the Augustinians had four communities in Havana city and, although these are no longer in our possession, the churches were returned to us.

During my stay I had various meetings with the director of the institute where our brother Lucjan teaches and also with the rector of the seminary both of whom expressed their appreciation for the contribution that he is giving there. The work in the academic field is a particular mission because although, legally, education is the prerogative of the state, as a church an institute is being created (when the situation ameliorates) which could develop into a catholic university as was the case many years back. In fact, courses which are run there are already recognised by the educational authorities in Bologna and by the Rome Congregation.

It is my wish that we retain the mission in Cuba in our prayers, especially during the coming week when you will be having your delegation assembly, so that God will continue to help them in the decisions and choices that need to be made.

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