LOS NEGRALES, Madrid, Spain.
On July 28 the feast of St. Pedro Poveda was celebrated, at 77 years after his death. The celebration took place at Santa Maria de los Negrales, where his remains are venerated.
Fr. Francisco Javier Sancho, Director of the University of Mysticism in Avila, was the main celebrant of the Eucharist, which was concelebrated by several priests. Many friends and members of the Teresian Association participated in the liturgy.
"In this place, holy land, where such a significant presence of Pedro Poveda and Josefa Segovia illuminate this charism for the Church," said the celebrant at the beginning of his homily, "we celebrate a saint. Not just a life, a history, but a history of salvation. God became incarnate in a person, in a story, " he added.
"The word of the Lord which has been transmitted, revealed, has been made history through the life of Pedro Poveda. Thus, to celebrate this saint today is to revitalize and revive in us the charism that has been given to us so that each of us may continue being salt and light in the midst of our diverse social and cultural situations where the Teresian Association is present "continued Fr. Francisco Sancho.
Don Francisco Javier Sancho, Director de la Universidad Mística de Ávila
"This has to be a celebration and charging of batteries. If we remember the story of Pedro Poveda, we find negative and deficient historical situations but these become fertile ground where God has inspired a response. Today we continue the work but not as repeaters of Pedro Poveda’s actions, but as agents of light and salt in the world. Currently, we perceive many complaints, many negative attitudes. So Pope Francis insists that we must overcome a pessimistic view of history,” said the celebrant.
"The Christian finds answers in those historical times when more difficulties arise, when there are more problems. Our being followers of Christ with a charism, remains a challenge. It would be a disservice if we were content with just moving on. We need to realize that right there God continues making us witnesses of a life that is always new,” he said.
Finally, Fr. Sancho reminded us: "for Pedro Poveda, to live the mystery of the incarnation is to accept the poor, the humble, and the fragile because, somehow, we find a God who becomes secularized, that is, committed to the world. The incarnation is the challenge of your charism, a gift to a world that still needs to be salt and light, to be incarnation. We are marked by the sign of the cross. And it is in failure, in the poor, in the small, where apparently God does not count, where he continues acting and saving. "
Maite Uribe, President of the Teresian Association
After the celebration, the President of the Teresian Association, Maite Uribe, thanked the concelebrants and everyone present for sharing in this great celebration of the feast of St. Pedro Poveda.
She remembered the victims of the train accident occurred in Santiago de Compostela on July 24: "In these days we join so many families who are suffering the consequences of this terrible train accident, and many others. We also appreciate the gestures of solidarity that have been expressed "
She also mentioned that "today World Youth Day will come to a close in Brazil, and from here, I want to send the young my warmest regards, those who have been able to travel and those who, in different dioceses, have felt called by the words of sending and hope: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’ May we walk with them on a day-to-day basis, supporting their commitment and the joy of being sent. May we recognize them as ‘the window through which the future enters the world," as Pope Francis said in Brazil. The Brazilian community has made a great effort to facilitate WYD "
Then Maite Uribe shared with those present the plans for the participation of the Teresian Association in the celebration of the Fifth Centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus, to be held in 2015. Officially the year of celebration will open on October 15, 2014 and it will end on October 15, 2015.
“Throughout this time, the Church and society will celebrate a woman, ‘la Santa’ who left her mark on the culture and the Church of her time and, through her message, she continues to influence women and men of the 21st century. Also in the Teresian Association we want to live this centenary in a meaningful manner,” she said.
"I hope that this centenary may strengthen our identity to be wanderers, like Teresa, through the paths of the world with a profound experience of God," said the President of the Teresian Association."
“This is an opportunity to learn more about St. Teresa and make her known, so that her experience of Jesus made flesh and her love of the Church may accompany our seeking, our mission, and our daily tasks. The question we will ask ourselves throughout this year will be: What is Teresa saying today to this Association that bears her name?” concluded Maite Uribe.
Vera Mª Candau, former Vice-President of the Teresian AssociationEn clima de fiesta y cordialidad nombró los diferentes grupos presentes en la Casa de Santa María, que habían coincidido por aniversarios o experiencias formativas. También mencionó, en su cumpleaños, a Vera María Candau, ex-Vicedirectora General de la Institución Teresiana y actual coordinadora de la Propuesta Socioeducativa de la Institución en América Latina.
Within a festive atmosphere and cordiality she named the different groups present in the House of Santa Maria. They had gathered to celebrate anniversaries or had come for formation experiences. She also recognized Vera Maria Candau, on her birthday, former Vice-President of the Teresian Association and current coordinator of the Socio-Educational Project of the Association in Latin America.
The celebration of St. Pedro Poveda was also an opportunity to honor the NGO of the Teresian Association, InteRed, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013. A video showing the life and witness of this rich experience was shown. They also gave a brief presentation of the projects supported by InteRed in different countries.
María del Mar Palacios gave a brief report on the main challenges faced by projects sponsored by this NGO:
"A major challenge is Sustainability, which is important to continue the social and educational action. In the last two years Spanish cooperation programs have reduced their budget by 80%. InteRed is now searching new avenues to tap international agencies, as well as public and private agencies.
Being able to articulate our work with others. To do this, we must recognize our own riches and learn about what others can contribute. We also need to grow in our own articulation.
Incorporate collaborators that may bring new perspectives on reality. Also there is a challenge in the training of collaborators and a need for innovation projects. We cannot keep giving the same answers if the context has changed, "said Mar Palacios.
The party continued by sharing food. Also people continued to pray in the Chapel where the remains of St. Pedro Poveda lie under the altar as a sign of a life given by faith.
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