Although M. Daría Fernández had summoned us from November 21 to 29, we began on the 20th, meeting at the Mother House, what better place than this to begin our assembly and share with the Sisters of this house, the joy of this meeting.
We began with a prayer in the oratory of our Blessed Mother, led by M. Daría, who invited us to pray with the text of Lk. 4:1-13 The temptations of Jesus in the desert, and to touch our reality: How we find ourselves at this moment, naming our hopes and despairs. We had our first simple but profound sharing. Everything expressed was presented to the Lord in the Eucharist.
At 6:30 p.m., in the Church next to the tomb of the Saint, we had the Eucharist invoking the Holy Spirit, presided by Fr. Julio Martinez, S.J. We felt accompanied by the Sisters of the community as well as by the laity who represent the different sectors of the house.
The Novitiate community of Buitrago was waiting for us with a welcome full of affection, joy and availability; facilitating everything so that we could live these days of reflection and search for God’s Will.
On the first day, feast of the Presentation of the Virgin, we prepared our hearts for the retreat, led by Fr. Elías Royón, S.J., who presented the theme in two parts: the first part was about the renewal of the Vows, encouraging us to return to the essentials, to allow ourselves to be seduced by the Lord, to the first call, to identification with Christ. In the afternoon he spoke to us about Consecrated Life today, breaking down 3 points: Where do we come from, who are we? Where are we and how are we? And where are we going? In the afternoon we took to the Eucharist what the Lord gave us and with full awareness, joy and gratitude we renewed our vows.
On the 22nd we began our work with a hymn to the Spirit, contemplating the figure of Mary and then we listened to the opening words that M. Daría addressed to the Assembly, encouraging us to become aware of the present time and to create interior conditions to live these days in a key of discernment; she presented Mary as a model of faith, of seeking the Will of God and of docility to the Spirit.
M. Amelia Herrero on initial formation and Br. Berenice Camacho on ongoing formation and communication. Victoria Hernandez presented the report of the Laity and pastoral ministry. Adela Granados presented the report of the Manuel María Vicuña Foundation. At this point we interrupted the dynamic to welcome a group of lay people from the Motherhouse who came to share their experience of living spirituality and mission with the RMI. It was a very pleasant fraternal moment. One of them expressed: “I would like to do what you do, from what I am”. They all shared the positive impact that knowing the Congregation has had in their lives and they felt the need to make the Vicenta Maria Lay Movement known.
Since Sr. Ana Martín was not present, we were able to listen to the reading of the report on the economy through the on-line connection. We took some time to rest and reflect on what we had heard and return to share our impressions and questions in a fraternal way.
We have felt the presence of each sister in these memories of the curia houses. We are grateful for the prayers of the whole Congregation, for us and for our sisters of the Provinces of North America, Cuba and Andean America, who are also gathered in provincial chapter.
On behalf of M. Daría and all the members of this assembly, a big hug with affection.
H. Olga Castañeda and Br. Lurdes López
