GUATEMALA, Guatemala
On the occasion of the liturgical feast of Saint Pedro Poveda on July 28, there were celebrations in cities around the world. In Guatemala, friends and members of the Teresian Association met at the premises of the Xajanaj Kahalepana Socio-Educational Project in Chinautla.
Echoes of the celebration
The large Teresian family of Guatemala (members, friends, colleagues, and families) got together in the morning of Sunday, July 27, at the premises of the Xajanaj Kahalepana Socio-Educational Project in Chinautla to celebrate the feast of St. Pedro Poveda.
The project team had prepared the celebration. The children that during the year participate in the workshops on artistic expression at the children’s play-center played a leading role. In recent weeks they have engaged enthusiastically in a process to know Pedro Poveda to represent his life in a play and sing with gratitude and joy.
The gathering began with some words by Blanca Fuentes, coordinator of the project. Hers were words of welcome and remembrance of the person of Poveda and his commitment to evangelization, on his effort for a humanizing education arising from his deep Christian and priestly identity.
There are many similarities between Guadix of the early twentieth century and the twenty-first century Chinautla. For those present it was easy to understand the scope of that early educational vocation of Pedro Poveda. The audience immediately connected with a message projected through a video. "A man with open hands comes to a cave... And he always wanted to be close to the pain of the needy ... and he always wanted to give a little more love to all his brothers and sisters ... It all started in some caves where gypsies live..."
Nadia Gramajo, coordinator of the children’s play center presented the flute, theater, choir and dance groups, highlighting the process experienced by the children who find a place to discover, enhance their talents, and develop their ability to create a group in the artistic expression in collaboration with others. This is a humanizing alternative to environmental violence and the lack of opportunities for expression that they often feel in their families.
After some performances using the flute, the play "My Friend Pedro," which recounts his life from the perspective of the actors, was performed.
The choir, which to this date did not have a name, was now called by its members "Poveda’s friends." They played two songs with an ecological and humanistic message, one of Guatemala's cultural traditions, and two dedicated to Pedro Poveda. One of the songs had original music and lyrics, according to what they children had highlighted about their his friend Pedro.
"Pedro Poveda, our good and loving friend, caring and very kind. His mission transcended to all. He wanted a new day. He was good and very responsible. He brought food to the gypsies. He wanted a more humane world ... He asked Our Lady for food for everyone's table. " These were words of the chorus and the verses.
The cultural event concluded with a dance of thanksgiving from the Mayan tradition.
Before sharing tasty tamales with chocolate, some participants expressed their joy of celebrating the life of St. Pedro Poveda through this Project, which makes children and youth grow full of life in Chinautla. The seed sown by the founder of the Teresian Association bears fruit in our beloved Guatemala. More than a tear of emotion had to be wiped away. The gathering exuded gratitude and appreciation.
The children's choir, accompanied by family and team members went to the town of San Lucas Sacatepequez in the afternoon to participate in a festival of children’s choirs for peace. There they presented "The friends of Poveda".
Along with other choirs they performed their repertoire, which still had the taste of a tribute to their friend Pedro. Joy and gratitude remained the characteristic features, together with the experience of camaraderie and collective participation. The party continued on the bus until the evening. No one seemed to feel fatigue in this long journey.
Cultural events
Great festivities last more than a day. Thus, the celebration continued on Monday afternoon, July 28. This time it was for the users of the library, students from the school programs and tutorial support, as well as for their families.
The day before children from the tutorial programs and school support had performed cultural acts with dance choreography of their own creation, which delighted the audience. Through a trivia game they remembered the life of Pedro Poveda. Then they read messages that the children had written to their friend Pedro in the previous week: "Thank you for everything you did. Thanks for giving us this library. You are kind and very brave. We love you. Thank you for teaching us so much. Continue to support children and young people ... Thank you for your love for us. "
The cheerful celebration and well-attended celebration concluded by sharing a big cake that was broken into more than a hundred and fifty pieces.
Thank you, Saint Pedro Poveda, for giving us the opportunity once again to celebrate your life which was given to the end, in Jesus style!
Team of the Xajanaj Kahalepana Socio-Educational Project in Chinautla