Brothers from the Province of Mexico met at the San José Spirituality Centre of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa in Tetelcingo, Morelos, Mexico from 6-8 January. The retreat was led by Juan Manuel Torres sscc, and involved an ongoing reflection on the dynamics of pastoral renewal and the interior self. Juan Manuel proposed four sessions with moments of enlightenment, personal prayer and sharing in pairs.
In the first session, the brothers were invited to reflect on the characteristics of adulthood in religious life, the Gospel and the accents of faith at this stage in one’s life, as well as its temptations and mission.
In the second conference, entitled "Nothing is permanent except change", Juan Manuel helped the brothers to enter more deeply into the spiritual life today of the province of Mexico, presenting elements that may help understand their vocation as the first effort to respond to God's call. In another moment, he spoke about the newness of Jesus in the life of the religious and in the mission to which he is sent.
After this there was an opportunity to identify some of the difficulties, calls and urgent tasks that surface in the process of pastoral conversion. Additionally, a generous amount of time was provided for personal prayer and meditation on the characteristics of Jesus the Good Shepherd – characteristics that can be found in each brother and for which each brother can be grateful.
The fourth session focused on pastoral renewal in the congregation and in the province, going deeper into the pastoral challenges that had been highlighted in the recent General and Provincial chapter documents.
To conclude the retreat, a space was left for personal meditation to read the letter of Pope Francis to the priests on the 160th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars. This was followed by a time for community adoration.
More photographs can be seen by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/2T7X1ca
01/10/2020