Mauricio Morales

​When did you first feel called to religious life? Do you remember a specific place? A person? 
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I was about 23 years old when I started to be more curious about religious life. I was a Franciscan secular, and I was always attracted to the idea of the vows, a spirituality, and being a friar. I don't necessarily remember any person or specific moment.

What's something fun / something you enjoy about living in community?  
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I have enjoyed the few conversations with some special friars who have shed some wisdom or have shared their expertise or knowledge with me. The sharing of our life goes beyond the sharing of spaces or resources. It is about sharing wisdom, knowledge, faith, emotional intelligence, and everything in between. 

 

What is the best kept secret / most underrated aspect of the Tradition and Spirituality of Augustine?  
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I think interiority continues to be the most underrated and most important aspect of our spirituality that we do not emphasize enough to religious or lay people. People are hungry for self-knowledge, and we can see this because many people look for it in zodiac signs or  psychological tests such as MBTI or the enneagram or Yoga. Getting to know oneself is the greatest love story we can pursue to have a wonderful relationship with ourselves, God, and our loved ones. 

   

Do you have a hobby / passion that you enjoy spending time on?  
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I don't think I have a hobby other than reading books. I read philosophical novels, academic books, historical novels, etc.