MADRID, Spain.
Saint Pedro Poveda, his priestly profile, the key to his pastoral dynamism, his educational and social action, as well as the Association he founded were the theme of a conference of young clergy from Madrid, convened by Archbishop Carlos Osoro. The meeting, with over sixty young priests participating, took place at Santa Maria de Los Negrales Spirituality Center, on Friday May 20.
The gathering began with the Liturgy of the Hours, led by Archbishop Carlos Osoro. He explained that the meeting would revolve around the figure of Saint Pedro Poveda: A secular priest who lived part of his pastoral, educational, and social action in Madrid, where he was martyred on July 28, 1936. The Archbishop asked these young priests of the Archdiocese to get to know this contemporary saint as a spiritual and pastoral reference for their lives.
Laura Moreno Marrocos, director of the Information Department of the Teresian Association, and Fr. Francisco Bueno Pimienta, chaplain of the Department of Agriculture of the Polytechnical University of Madrid, were invited to present complementary aspects of the figure of Saint Pedro Poveda, as an introduction to the film POVEDA, which was shown after these presentations.
"We thought that the life of St. Pedro Poveda had elements of interest to be brought to the big screen and this seemed the right time,” said Laura Moreno when she explained the reasons that made possible the making of the film. She stressed that "Pedro Poveda already lived many of the pastoral characteristics that the Church emphasizes today, especially since the Pontificate of Pope Francis: A Church that reaches out to the poor; a Church that goes out to others living the Gospel to the fullest and attracts by its message and gestures of mercy; a Church that is able to dialogue with the culture of its time, in accordance to Paul VI ‘s Evangelii Nutiandi, and Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, with its educational vocation and its commitment to the laity, in particular the place of women in society. "
She also mentioned the excellent professional experience of collaboration and teamwork with teams of “Contracorriente” and Goya, responsible for the realization and production of the film.
Fr. Francisco Bueno presented the main features of the biography of Saint Pedro Poveda since he was ordained a priest in Guadix until his death, witnessing to his faith in Madrid. He highlighted pastoral and spiritual traits of Pedro Poveda, which he defined it as prophetic because we would have to wait several decades till Vatican II confirmed them. He identified the biblical and patristic sources that are found in the spiritual writings of Saint Pedro Poveda. He valued the ability of his spiritual guidance that is found in much of the collected letters of the protagonist.
In his effective presentation, Fr. Francisco Bueno developed the broad educational action that Poveda led in response to the problems of Spain in his time, and that he perceived with great intuition. He further noted his deep identification with Jesus Christ, lived deeply till martyrdom.
The applause at the end of the screening of the film POVEDA was an eloquent sign that it was well received by the priests. Soon the Eucharist was celebrated in the Chapel of Saint Pedro Poveda, where the remains of this saint and martyr lie under the altar. On one side of the altar, the scapular that was pierced by a bullet at his death a well as the belt he was wearing that day, July 28, 1936, were displayed.
Bishop Carlos Osorio, who presided over the Eucharist, highlighted the ability of Saint Pedro Poveda to reach out to all people, without distinction of ideologies or social sectors, driven by the strength of the joy of the Gospel. He invited the priests to do the same. He also spoke about Poveda’s promotion of the laity, in particular seeking the active participation of women, and the conviction that through education we can better society.
After lunch the meeting continued with those who could stay. It was a cordial dialogue on topics taken from the life of Pedro Poveda, inspired by the film, such as: his departure from Guadix, how he became canon of Covadonga, Saint Teresa as patron saint of his Association, the vocation and evangelical commitment of the members of the Teresian Association, the educational and religious situation in the first third of the 20th century.
Members of the team of Santa Maria de Los Negrales Spiritualty Center and of the Department of Information participated in the meeting.
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