The main objetive is to follow Christ in a reality that is young, cou-rageous, innovative and defiant lived out by the youth throughout the world. During the first months of the ARVY there were many varied activities going on in the different min-istries of the Order throughout the world: From popular races to short films, creation of various materials like posters, Augustinian reflections in web pages of Provinces, organization of expositions, proliferation of get-togethers and encounters, launching of musical concerts, all kinds of celebra-tions, and, of course, prayers.

Culture of vocations

By this Year of Vocations, the Order aims to encourage the living out of life as a vocation and to foment the culture of vocations in society and, more concretely, in the ministries animated by Au-gustinian Recollect communities.

By culture of vocations is meant the project of God for a person. A project which leads him to think, believe, act and sow in humankind and in society a different way of life, with evangelical standards and teachings of the Church.

All activities are geared towards the promotion of “deep vocational attitudes” which bring about a real “culture of vocations”. It is about realizing a culture which enables modern man to find himself again, to regain the higher values of love, friendship, prayer and contemplation. Vocation is born of love and leads to love because, as recalled by the motto of the XXX Day of Prayer for Vocations, “man cannot live without love”.

The Plan for the Pastoral Care of Vocations of the Augustinian Recollects is very clear in this regard: “Vocation is the heart itself of the new evangelization, it is the call of God to man towards a new age of truth and freedom and towards a new ethical development of culture and society”.

Undertakings

In order to reflect on the culture and pastoral care of vocations, Days of Formation are organized for September 11 to 14 in Marcilla (Navarre, Spain). The Courses of Preparation for solemn profession also dwelt deeper into this theme, and celebrations of professions and ordinations were right occa-sions to give thanks for the gift of new vocations to the religious life. On its part, in their meetings and assemblies, the Secular Fraternity has reaffirmed the vocation of lay people to live out in their condition the Augustinian Recollect charism. The RAY (Recollect Augustinian Youth), in their gather-ings, get-togethers and summer camps endeavored to pursue an Augustinian vocational jour-ney.

The Cross

The ARVY and the JMJ see in the cross a fundamental element for reflection. The Recollect Augustin-ian Youth (RAY) in the Philippines and American countries, like Guatemala, Colombia and Chile cen-ter their celebrations on the vocational Cross which journey throughout all and every ministry that the Order has in these countries. On its part, the JMJ has included a white Cross in its official logo that would represent the passion of the Heart of Christ poured out over the world from the cross.

Objectives

These two big events, – the Year of Vocations of the Order of Augustinian Recollects and the World Youth Day – have shared objectives. The main one is to follow Christ in a reality that is young, cou-rageous, innovative and defiant lived out by the youth throughout the world. The ARVY adds to this Christian following, a particular style, by offering a charism that is communitarian, missionary and prayerful according to the manner of St Augustine. All these without hang-ups but with joy exuding from more than 400 years of experience and happiness among its religious and communities.