JAEN, Spain.
The celebrations of the centenary of the presence of the Teresian Association in Jaén came to a close with the celebration of a Mass at the Cathedral of that city on October 25.
The participants received a warm welcome at the Plaza de Santa María minutes before 7:00 PM, when the Mass started. The Bishop of the Diocese, Monsignor Ramón del Hoyo López, celebrated it. He concelebrated with Monsignor Antonio Ceballos, Bishop Emeritus, and fifteen other priests.
The event was a solemn and grateful act for one hundred years of the presence of the Teresian Association in Jaén. One hundred years of evangelization, offering a charism for the Church and the world.
At the start of the celebration, a picture of Saint Pedro Poveda, was brought to the Cathedral and was placed next to the one side of the altar. A picture of St. Teresa was placed next to the other side of the altar.
The Choir of the Cathedral, directed by Cristina Garcia de la Torre, a music teacher of Pedro Poveda School, enriched the celebration.
In his homily, Bishop Ramón del Hoyo López evoked Santa Teresa in this year of the V Centenary of her birth. He invited us to be accompanied by her. Then he gave a quick review of the footprint left by St. Pedro Poveda in the Church and in society as a priest, Founder, and humanist. He emphasized the essence that moved his life: "God changed St Pedro Poveda’s life when he was very young. He had the experience of his love and his presence and thus he had an intense desire to communicate Him to others. We can imagine him spending hours before the presence of God, at the celebration of the Eucharist, with his heart open wide to God, watching him closely, and wondering about taking His love to others," said the Bishop.
The Offertory and the Prayers of the Faithful, offered as a people of God and as a family, helped us to live the Eucharist as the culmination of the Centenary celebrations. At all times the memory of Josefa Segovia, so close to Father Poveda during those early and decisive moments for the future of the Work, was very present.
The party atmosphere, joy and belonging to this "good idea" that is the Teresian Association was contagious. Members of the different associations, TA Movement former students, students and families today, both as friends and colleagues, filled the Cathedral.
During the celebration words of commitment and renewal were spoken: "Trusting in the presence and the action of the Spirit, we renew today, after 100 years, our commitment to proclaim and build the Kingdom with many men and women who seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness."
The anthem for the centenary, written by a teacher of Pedro Poveda School and sung by a group of children from the same, put a finishing touch to the celebration. The music will linger in our grateful memory for these hundred years of history.
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Information by Encarnita Molina and Francisca Pérez Catena