VALENCIA, Spain.
"While we have time, let us do good," concluded Fr. Agustín Fernández Buj when giving his testimony in the Covadonga Offering on May 29, 2011. Time has been short for him due to an unexpected illness. Today, when we miss him, his life becomes even brighter and inspires feelings, prayers, and words. Loreto Ballester, former President of the Teresian Association from 2000- 2012, describes "the priestly style of Augustín” and his affinity with the charism of St. Pedro Poveda, as she reflects on the gift of priestly friends for the Teresian Association.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith " (2 Tim 4, 7)
These words of Paul have come to me at the news of the death of Augustín. Although we knew the gravity of his illness, which appeared unexpectedly and has claimed his life in a short time, the impact of his departure has been intense. The Teresian Association, represented in many people who have known him very closely, has accompanied him with great affection at this stage of his disease, praying for him, being concerned for his situation, and being close to his mother.
While I was a member of the Governing Council with the specific task of working with youth, and in the period when I was President, I witnessed the priestly style of Augustín. When teenagers and young people came to him with questions and searches, when those who were raising a family in the early stages of their marriage approached him, he was always there. When younger members of the Teresian Association, educators or groups seeking a way of life in the Association, when youth ministers with training responsibilities came to him for guidance on any issue, Agustín was always ready. And always he was a priest after the heart of God (Jer 3:15).
We always counted on him when we called priests who generously offered their ministry in support of the life of the Association, such as the celebration of the centenary of the evangelizing action of Pedro Poveda in Guadix. His moral authority, recognized by his peers, facilitated many situations. This was also evident in bishops, especially those who have had his valuable assistance as Secretary and have supported his commitments to the Association.
His PRIESTLY BEING made the presence of the Lord God, to whom he was so deeply attached, quite evident. He showed the outstretched hand of our God in any situation, offered a clear word about the ways of life, or on the temptations and risks of deception. And his car seemed to have wings on many journeys, often not scheduled, for him to attend to any need.
Any contact with him always encouraged us to recognize the gifts of our vocation. He also knew the difficulties and complex situations that he accompanied with prudence and great respect for those with some institutional responsibility. His deep and committed love for the Church, which he taught to embrace, was obvious. Many of these profound experiences of his being and of his service have been expressed by him, at the feet of Our Lady at the Covadonga Offering, when the Governing Council considered that it was a duty to include in the Offering during the Centennial Year a diversity of people who actually make the Teresian Association. It was an intense moment that he lived with joy and gratitude.
Augustín's life displays something that I have been able to recognize in other priests who understand the Teresian Association well: the charism that inspired Saint Pedro Poveda has been an area of life in which the power of the Spirit has been shown. We have received a lot from them and they have received something valuable in their contact with the Work. Often they express their gratitude for having received something from some of us, at times as from a big sister, close company or guidance in rural areas or in small parishes, during their time of study, or at crossroads in their priesthood. The intense experience of Josefa Segovia in her understanding of priesthood and her commitment to good priests is also a reality in our time.
Augustine's death gives me the opportunity to express our appreciation for the service of many priests. Those who have accompanied the life of the Association are countless. On several occasions, in conversations with leaders of movements attended to by priests, I have expressed that Pedro Poveda, a diocesan priest, happy in his priesthood, understood that in the Teresian Association, which is an association of lay people, there would be no priests with institutional bonds. The close relationship would be born out of the common experience of ecclesial life and understanding of the charism. I have also expressed the experience, which does not cease to amaze me, that in different parts of the world, in large cities and in rural areas, in countries with a Catholic minority, St. Pedro Poveda “sends us priests" and he becomes close to them in a thousand ways.
Thank you, Lord, because in Augustín, in many other priests whose names and faces are alive in the Association, you show us your care for this Teresian family. And you transform the priestly life of Pedro Poveda into a gift and model for them.
Loreto Ballester