"We have to consider and live this Year for Priests as a special grace the Lord has given us to deepen and revi-talize our response to His call, with our radical conse-cration to His person and His Gospel". This is an invita-tion found in the circular letter sent by Fr. General to all the communities of the Order. "This would imply mak-ing Christ as our life and expression of our mission; res-ponding lovingly and faithfully to the contemporary challenges and demands of the Church. It is to continue the discipleship of Christ as a community with particu-lar values of our own recollect spirituality". The letter concludes inviting all the OAR religious to live up to this special grace on the occasion of the Year for Priests.

From Manila

Fr. General who is having his visit in various augusti-nian recollect communities in the Philippines, timely recalls the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, cure de Ars and patron of priests. His visit to this country coincides with the National Con-gress for Clergy wherein there were 5.500 participants among them 41 augustinian recollects.

Aside from citing Pope Benedict XVI and the holy Cure of Ars, Fr. General quoted some words of St. Augustine on priesthood inviting all members to live with enthu-siasm and renewed spirit this favorable occasion: "St. Augustine reminds us that Christ is born in him who receives the body of Christ, and who in turn is united to Him with spiritual bond (Commentary on Galatians, 38)”.

The letter (dated February 6 and signed in Manila), mentions the various events and activities for the first semester of 2010. It reminds the religious on the impor-tance of participating in the preparation for the next General Chapter through their suggestions and prayers. The Chapter starts on October 4 of this year and will be held in Monachil (Granada, Spain).