September 20-23

On the 20th of September, we have received from the interesting contribution of Fr. José Luis López Yarto, Jesuit Priest, who during the whole day have situated us within the theme of this day “The Formation of Today”.  He presented to us the psychosocial factors that shapes the present situation of our religious vocation. He developed the following themes:

The Religious Life, its weaknesses and strength focused in these aspects: Problems of Inclusion, Control and Affectivity.

Fr. José Luis have discussed on “how to accompany and accompany each other mutually in our weaknesses”, from the three encouraging attitudes: Congruency, Unconditional Acceptance and Empathy.

As planned, in the morning of 21^st September, the capitulars celebrated the Holy Eucharist at the tomb of St. Peter. It was presided by the Vicar General of the Capuchin Tertiary Fathers, Fr. Pedro Costa and concelebrated by the Superior General Fr. Ignacio Calle. This was an opportunity for all of us to renew the Faith we have received in the Sacrament of Baptism, in the place where the foundation and the column of our Church rests.

In the afternoon we continued to work on the synthesis of the Formation.

 On the 22 of September, another theme that impacted strongly all the capitulars was the topic exposed by Fr. Luis Ángel de las Heras, Claretian Father, in charge of the International Community of students at Colmenar Viejo (Spain). Fr. Luis Ángel have enlightened us about the diversity presenting it as Kairós, from the key word called lesson. He started with the concept of culture as a way with which the groups of persons LIVE, THINK, and ORGANIZE, CELEBRATE AND SHARE LIFE.

“The congregational culture that has its roots in one culture, grows and develops within, but it does not limit itself in one determined culture, there is a pattern which is the seal of following Jesus, in accordance to one’s own charism, that urges to transcend the ways of thinking, feeling and projection in each time and place. In that way that own culture continues to take its form that makes one to respond to the individual, group and to the many diverse problems. The Congregational culture goes beyond the symbolic, sociological and organizational parameters, and enters fully in the mystery which is the Church, that is not identified with the society. The Gospel is not identified with the culture, the culture is autonomous and the faith is independent, the culture serves the foundation for the faith and faith is always incarnate itself in the culture.”

Another aspect analyzed as fundamental was community life as the necessary place of intercultural encounter having dialogue, spiritual life, discernment, respect and the formation with others as the foundation.

On the 23^rd of September, the feminine light was made present in our Chapter through Sisters Beatriz Acosta, General Superior and Rita Calvo, Vicar General from the Order of the Company of Mary, who enriched us with their wide sharing of experience of the restructuration of their Congregation.

Sisters Beatriz and Rita shared that their Order was inspired to have that process of Restructuration under the phrase: “I choose Life” Dt. 30:19 because it gathers well the conviction of the Company of Mary have had that compelled them to carry forward the process of the restructuration of the Provinces. This expression reminds the biblical text that the people of Israel were faced by a decision that will mark its future. “We feel in union of strength and facing together the limitations and weaknesses will make us respond better in the mission.”

The theme stirred among us a lot of interest and questions that the sisters responded with ampleness and transparence. We value their contribution and enlightenment. With this experience we are encouraged to hope and at the same time challenged: how can we set up the way to the restructuration of our congregation?