Father Tomaž Masvrič, CM (superior general) and Father Aarón Gutiérrez (assistant general) visited the Province of Peru on March 6th and 7th.
Even though their visit was for a brief period of time, nevertheless it was very gratifying for the members of the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Family. This visit was brief because the objective of the superior general’s visit to Latin America (a visit of some twenty-three days) was to come to a better understanding and analysis of the missionary activity that is taking place in the International Missions of Bolivia and Chile.
A few hours after arriving in Lima on March 6th, the superior general and the assistant general participated in a meeting with some thirty confreres who had gathered together on this occasion. After morning prayer and an introduction of welcome, the participants viewed a video about the ministry of the members of the Congregation in Peru. The superior general then explained some of the priorities that the missionaries should be mindful of during this year: [1] to keep before them their commitment to the mission and to charity (a reality that was highlighted during 2017 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the origin of the Vincentian charism); [2] a calm but bold reflection with regard to the ministry of vocational promotion (accompanying young men and women in a process of discernment and the creation of a culture of vocation that will lead to some young men and women opting for a missionary life), [3] strengthening our spiritual life through reflection on the example of our Vincentian saints.
After a luncheon in the Provincial House in Lima, Father Mavrič presided at the Eucharist that was celebrated in the Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity. Members from all the different branches of the Vincentian Family participated in this celebration … in Peru there are eighteen groups that share the Vincentian charism (lay groups and religious groups) and twelve of these groups actively participate in various activities throughout the year.
Father Mavrič encouraged those present to live the Vincentian charism with fidelity and creativity. Later, in the meeting room at the Provincial House of the Daughters, the provincial superior, the coordinator of the Vincentian Family in Peru, the superior general and the assistant general all spoke to those who had gathered together. All highlighted the need for a spirit of unity, the need to collaborate with one another, to make a commitment to live the heritage that was received from St. Vincent, and finally to respond to the challenges that the church and society present to us. The afternoon’s activities concluded with a musical presentation that was organized by the Daughters of Charity.
The following day, March 7th, the Visitor invited Father Mavrič and Father Aarón to visit some of the communities in Lima. We were accompanied by Father Roberto “Tito” Romero who was our chauffer. We began at St. Vincent de Paul School where, after a prayer of thanksgiving, the director of the school, Javier Gamero, welcomed the superior general and showed a video about some of the activities that had taken place during the previous year (2017 – the Jubilee Year). The visit was concluded with a musical presentation.
Next to the school is the parish and the Vincentian Family Center. Father Benito Walther accompanied us as we visited the parish church and Father César Chávez “Chuno” pointed out the various service are offered by the Vincentian Family Office.
We then traveled to the parish of Corpus Christi where Father Orestes Ortiz walked us through the parish complex. After a quick cup of coffee we went to the district know as Villa Maria del Triunfo, an area that came into existence in the 1960’s as people moved there from the surrounding mountain areas. Fathers Tomaž and Aarón were able to appreciate the arduous and tenacious work of so many families who struggled to create a more hopeful future for themselves in the midst of the city of Lima. From the time that this area became a “neighborhood” the members of the Congregation of the Mission has accompanied the people … and it was pointed out that survival in this area involves great perseverance because of the difficulties in obtaining water. The process of evangelization in this area is coordinated by Father Francisco Domingo (pastor of St. Catherine Laboure parish) and Father Jesus Gurreonero (pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish) and has involved the establish of various social services (medical dispensaries, community soup kitchens) as well as on-going formation of the laity.
We then spent some time at the “shanty town” known as 12 de junio (12th of June) … difficult access, wooden chapel that provides the people with a place where they can gathering together for prayer and for discussdion.
The parish community of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (the Assumption of the Blessed Mother), the place where the theologate is located, awaited us for lunch. Here father general engaged in a dialogue with the theologians and the formators. During that time the seminarists were encouraged to form themselves in an integral manner and to purify their motives and convictions. Some photos concluded this time of the visit of the superior general and the assistant general.
My last words are words of gratitude … gratitude to Father Tomaž and Father Aarón for taking the time to visit our province and encouraging not only the members of the Congregation but all the members of the Vincentian Family. Their humility and simplicity has inspired all of us and their presence in our midst has provided us with a powerful symbol of the international nature of the Congregation.
By: Father Pedro Guillén Goñi, CM’ Visitor – Province of Peru
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM – Eastern Province, USA
