Throughout the year 2023, the Teresian Association in Argentina has been celebrating 85 years of presence in this country. We held a number of events on the theme:
“The Teresian Association is not a tree that is transplanted; it is a seed that is sown.” This has been a year for celebration and gratitude.
Eighty-five years have passed since the first seeds were sown in 1938 with the help of Carmen Cuesta. They took root and were cared for, and they nurtured the charism of Pedro Poveda in Argentina. The Teresian Association celebrates and is grateful for its 85 years because this life-giving force continues to take root and grow today.
The Association decided to celebrate this anniversary throughout the year with various activities and a variety of events. We invited all the people who have taken part in the life of the Teresian Association and its activities in Argentina over the years.
The celebrations began in June with a Povedan Prayer Meeting on the theme “Called here to add flavour” animated by Carolina Mancini and Alejandra Pena, TA members from Uruguay.
The Alumni Association of the Pedro Poveda Institute (IPP) also joined in celebrating the 85th anniversary by holding three talks on the history, experiences and activities of the first few decades of the Association, and the identity and charism of the TA in Argentina with various speakers.
Life stories
The main celebration was held on 30 September at the Pedro Poveda Institute. The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass. It continued with a panel discussion with people representing the life and activities of the Association. With emotion and gratitude, they told their stories of the role of the charism of the Association in their lives.
They appreciated the newness it brought regarding the preparation of women to take their roles in society; the kind of education that focuses on the search for truth, freedom, responsibility and solidarity, dialogue and self-expansion, the centrality of the values of the Gospel, a loving community, in dialogue, and that respects each person's inherent value.
Panel of testimonials: Javier Quesada, Alicia Moltrasio, Ma.Angelica Gelli, Pilar Gutman, Mercedes Marsal, Juan Carlos Bosso and Mariel Melo.
The panel discussion was followed by a choral performance of music and song to enliven the celebration. Then a dance group offered a flamenco show that delighted all the participants and encouraged them to conclude by singing and dancing the Rumba a Poveda.
Like all birthday celebrations, the 85th birthday of the Association was brought to a close in the IPP with a toast, a cake with candles and the grateful words of the people present.
Marian pilgrimage
To culminate the celebrations on 12 November, the Teresian Association in Argentina made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan, patroness of Argentina. We had Mass there that was a lovely celebration of thanksgiving for the 85 years of life. We prayed close to the Servant of God Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, who will soon be beatified, and thanked him for his closeness to the TA. We then had a simple and joyful fellowship meal together.
Participants of the pilgrimage to Lujan next to the resting place of the remains of the soon to be Blessed Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.
Marta Olmedo, Argentina.
TA Translators Team.
Published in News