The liturgical feast of Saint Pius X is celebrated today, August 21. He is a saint who has special importance to the Augustinian Recollects. After more than 300 years of existence, the religious institute entered into its contemporary phase with Pope Pius X in the year 1912.

The Augustinian Recollects offer a special homage to Saint Pius X, the so-called “Pope of Frequent Communion” or “Pope of the Catechism,” as they celebrate this year the Centenary of the document that elevated the Augustinian Recollects to an Order, and granted them juridical autonomy from the Order of Saint Augustine (the Augustinians).

The apostolic brief, Religiosas Familias, ended a series of petitions. Saint Pius X signed it on the 16th of September 1912 as he rendered tribute to the missionary history of the Augustinian Recollects who have left “all over great testimony of their apostolic labors through learned and holy men. Many of them attained martyrdom.” As a reward for the meritorious history of the Augustinian Recollects, the highest title “Order” was conferred to them and the title “Prior General” to their superior with other privileges through this apostolic brief.

Celebration

The Order of Augustinian Recollects seeks to continuously remember this so important a milestone of its history. The yearlong Centenary celebration begins on September 16, 2012 and closes on September 15, 2013. Last August 19, the Prior General, Miguel Miró issued a letter addressed to the whole Augustinian Recollect family. He calls to mind that so joyous event and invites the friars, the religious nuns and sisters, as well as the members of the secular fraternities to respond with their life to such public recognition of Church.