SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Chile.
The American and Caribbean Congress on Theology and Spirituality, Saint Teresa: mysticism and prophecy, was held in Santiago, Chile, on September 4-5, 2015. One hundred and fifty people from different countries participated. The papers, songs, and dance were a sharing of life and experiences. The Congress was held at the gymnasium of the Teresian School while the school was in session. Leonor Araujo writes a vivid testimony about the event. Links to access the various presentations and videos are included in this article.
It has been a long time since I participated in a Congress that would touch the depths of my own life. So I want to share with those who read this page "some things" that I liked in a special way and that since my arrival with a warm welcome in the cold of late winter, touched me deeply in body and soul.
Someone was waiting
Those who greeted us gave us a plastic bag in which there was a bottle of water and a paper with an address and a telephone number for us to call in case of need. This alone, at least to me, made the difference: someone was waiting for us on the other side with a mobile phone, if we needed something.
On September 3 in the morning we arrived at a school where the Congress would take place. The Center was presented as the "Teresian School." Also children arrived to school. We started greeting people all the way to the gym, a spacious and cozy place. In the center there was a boat, made of white paper with a woman in the bow; it was Teresa of Jesus with her staff driving two small boats that had the following sign in the middle of a stormy sea: Mysticism and Prophecy. It was the symbolic expression of the Congress, which later on was completed by the people who opened it. The theme of this Congress on Theology and Spirituality used words of Teresa: in these times we need friends and strong friends of God, with boldness for the Kingdom ...
The simple and open atmosphere of the school, which continued its business as usual, was obvious. It seemed that everyone was well aware of what would develop right there in their school. Later they shared the fruit of their work through songs and prayers. Everyone was very helpful: the teachers and the secretary allowed us to use their staff room, restrooms, and other facilities. The doormen, always attentive, and the maintenance people helped us relocate the furniture to suit our needs, not to mention the audio and video technicians. We can only give thanks to them. At various times the principal said that she liked to host these events because afterwards the school was full of energy. And surely it was, for whatever happened there was very good, and probably Saint Teresa was happy. We also danced and let ourselves be moved by the Spirit every day to start the evening.
Participants from different countries and projects
In the audience, among the 150 participants, there were former teachers of Saint Teresa Teacher School, former students, and men and women from around the country. A large number arrived from Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Portugal, and Spain. There were people from universities, research groups, social projects, schools, and educational projects. What a richness!
Lay and religious presented their clear, deep, simple, and questioning papers. It was clear that everyone shared with their work enriching parts of their lives and experiences. Perhaps this was what made every paper reach and touch center of our lives, as was expressed by several people from the audience. Thus, words resonated and repeatedly touched me: Teresa was a prophet and a mystic, a woman, a founder and writer, navigating upstream. Teacher of prayer, she lived in her body the experience of detachment and humility until her "body obeyed the soul." And so, she was human and a woman of God, as described by Pedro Poveda.
Words and experiences. Refresh and renew
The increasingly deep and healing words continued the energizing experience that made us feel closer and closer to the woman Teresa of Jesus: friendship, a close God, contemplation among "the pots and pans" of everyday, living alone with the One who loved us, to go out to the world "that is burning." Go out to wherever life is brewing, in the cities, in the fields, and in our small communities for as lay people the world is our place, "a missionary Church." At the end we found some words to live in our Church and renew it by renewing ourselves. From the letters of Pope Francis some words were highlighted: joy, the poor, care for the earth, mercy...
Be inspiring people
And here we have to say with St. Teresa: how shall we be so that we may be inspiring women and men? We should feel and act as mystics in the XXI century.
My gratitude to the Team of Theologians in America, the Government of the Teresian Association, the Council for Culture, and the Teresian Association of Chile who made this event possible. And, of course, I thank each person who participated for their contributions and presence.
To access the presentations:
www.colegioinstitucionteresiana.cl (Clck on tab labeled "Congreso").