From 22 - 24 February 2019, sisters and brothers (from Spain and France) who are in Initial Formation in Spain met for their annual meeting in the house of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (sisters). 10 sisters (Africa 6 and Spain 4) and 12 brothers (Iberia 7 and France 5) took part. This number of 22 corresponds to the total number of brothers and sisters in IF in Europe. The formators of the respective stages (5) and the coordinator of the territory, Nuria Lobo and the provincial of the Iberian province Aurelio Cayón were also present. The theme of the meeting was "Brothers, sisters sscc; Today, on the way to tomorrow.”
The sisters in charge of organising the meeting invited the Superiors General, Patricia Villarroel and Alberto Toutin to come and encourage reflection. They invited the participants to share their vision for the congregation today (lights and shadows) and their dreams (longings, aspirations). Among the lights of the congregation that stood out was their ongoing desire to be faithful to their vocation and mission, the richness of SSCC spirituality, brothers and sisters of different nationalities walking together. Among the shadows mentioned were the weight of the structures, ageing, reduction in numbers. The desire for a life closer to the poor featured among the aspirations, as did the wish for a more agile pastoral response to the challenges that come from reality.
In the dialogue that took place between the brothers and sisters in IF and Patricia and Alberto, a number of ways of concretizing those dreams were proposed: for example, aligning them in line with the orientations of the last General Chapters; setting them against the longing expressed in both chapters for new ways to be and serve in the Church. It is important that these dreams be fed by the sources of SSCC spirituality, wherein we learn to look at reality with the lucid and active compassion of Jesus.
It was acknowledged that these dreams have to pass through the tensions that form part of reality, for example between the rhythms of different ages, between individual desires and the needs of the group. It is hoped that such occasions and spaces for dialogue and discernment can continue in the communities so that dreams can be shared and compared. Brothers and sisters were all encouraged to seek to translate these dreams and hopes into prompt initiatives and concrete, transitory options and that all those involved in them remain willing to learn from achievements and failures. The simple family spirit of these days and the prayerful moments of adoration and Eucharist enriched all that took place.
In addition to the photos, which you can see in the Initial Training Gathering Gallery, you can watch some videos that you find below this news.
02/26/2019