On Monday 1st September, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presided over a Mass in the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Rome, which marked the beginning of the 188th Ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine.
During the Mass, Pope Leo invited the Augustinian brethren to ask for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and guide them during the discussions and work of these days. In his homily, the Pope emphasized three main points. First and foremost, he spoke about the gift of listening, which finds its roots in the long enriching tradition of the Church. The second point was then humility, through which one is more available and open to the will of God, without falling into the illusion of thinking that he has an answer to everything. The last point was the witness of Unity while inviting the Augustinian brothers to be promoters of Unity in the Church. After the mass the Pope greeted all the Capitulars one by one and stayed with them for a private meal.
The Ordinary General Chapter 2025 is expected to last several days and will see the Capitular members elect a new Prior General and General Council. More than 80 religious from 43 countries around the world are participating in the Chapter. The Maltese Augustinian Province is being represented by the Prior Provincial, Fr. Leslie Gatt, and Fr. Terence Spiteri.
It is interesting to mention that precisely twelve years ago, when P. Robert F. Prevost O.S.A. (now Pope Leo XIV) was ending his mandate as Prior General, he had invited and welcomed Pope Francis to the opening mass of the Ordinary General Chapter, who was still in the first months of his Papacy.
