LOS NEGRALES, Madrid. Spain.
On the feast of St. Pedro Poveda, a preview of a movie about his life was presented. Coming from different corners of the world, several hundred members of the Teresian Association, collaborators and friends came together on July 28 in Los Negrales, Madrid, to celebrate the liturgical feast of Saint Pedro Poveda. This celebration had a more international atmosphere this year because representatives from thirty countries where the Teresian Association is present gathered here. The novelty of the meeting, which began with a Mass, was enjoying the first fruits of a film about the life of Poveda, which is in the making, presented by its director, producer, and lead actor.
The Archbishop of Madrid, Msgr. Carlos Osoro, the abbot of the Basilica de Covadonga, Fr. Juan José Tuñón, and a dozen priests, concelebrated the Eucharist.
"Here we are as did the Christians in the early days to give thanks for the faith of one of ours," said Rufino Gregorio at the start of the mass.
In his homily, Bishop Osoro highlighted ten expressions chosen from the letters and other writings of Pedro Poveda summarizing what was his life was about: You are my hope, Lord; Lord, You are just and your justice is not like that of men; Save me; Incline your ear; Be my rock, my foundation; Be my Fortress; Lord I trust you in all circumstances; Lord, you teach me; Lord I want to make your wonders known.
"Time to go forth”
He said: First, we celebrate "a man and a Work for a time to go forth", following the invitation of Pope Francis. He encouraged us to share joy, to promote joyful generations at this moment in history. He added: "it necessary to live Baptism with depth" and watch the suffering world: "if I am crucified to the world, my life becomes bold love." "Let us thank this man who went through this world crucified to give life."
Then he invited us to be instruments of God and he commented on Poveda’s text on St. Teresa: fully human and all God’s. "We came to know the face of God when He became human," "We are not human if our lives are not all of God," he said.
All of the above has one purpose: to carry out the mission, to act in this world as salt and light. He concluded by inviting us to live in Christ, knowing that we belong to a people and we must defend the rights of all human beings.
Maite Uribe, President of the Teresian Association, spoke some words of greeting and gratitude "to all of us who feel close to the charism of Pedro Poveda."We are here, she said, for several reasons: to celebrate the triumph of a life marked by a passion for the human and the divine; and also to see pictures of the life of a man who, as the actor who plays his part said, ‘he was a great conciliator with a great capacity for dialogue."
"He never gave up hope"
Laura Moreno, Director of the Information Department of the Teresian Association, explained that with the movie on Pedro Poveda, made by Goya and Contracorriente Productions, "the Teresian Association wants to give a gift to society and the Church, with the current language of art. "
In a conversation with some of those responsible for the film on Pedro Poveda, moderated by Kato Boylan, the following participated: Pablo Moreno, director of the film; José María Muñoz, executive director of Goya Productions; and lead actor, Raúl Escudero.
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Pablo Moreno noted the difficulty of "trying to capture a very intense and very big life." He stressed the facets of Poveda that he wanted to reflect: the man, the priest, the educator, the feminist, the charitable man, and the man of conciliation.
What impresses him the most at the personal level is "Poveda’s innovation and that he was a man beyond his time," as well as his attitude in the face of any conflict: "He was ruled out but has never gave up hope, the desire to work."
José María Muñoz explained that the production of the film, with the engagement of all parties involved, was a challenge: "It is not easy to capture the life of a saint and a life so rich."
Raúl Escudero admitted that he did not know Pedro Poveda and, as he was reading and talking with different people to embody the character, he thought, "Oh boy, what did I get myself into!" “Giving life to a saint is a huge responsibility because of the expectations it creates." He decided to focus on the man, on the person and "on the spiritual engines that sustained him to keep walking despite the difficulties, to get up and keep fighting as the first day." "You realize the great faith that made him get that far." "I take with me his tenacity, faith, and honesty in what one does."
As announced by the producer, except for the unknowns, the film, which is now being assembled, can be seen in the fall or winter of 2015.
The participants enjoyed a preview screening of the first trailer of the film, as well as a selection of sequences, which were applauded at length.
The celebration ended in the garden sharing a snack and exchanging views on this encounter, which has become a desired summer event for all the friends of Pedro Poveda.
Nieves San Martín