“Life flows, meets and is renewed in Covadonga, together with Pedro Poveda and La Santina.” These are the words of Isabel Acereda Cadavieco, currently in charge of ‘La Casina’, an open house that the TA has in this enclave full of meaning, which offers experiences of prayer, silence, study and contact with nature.
Looking back and taking stock of the past months at La Casina, Isabel Acereda sends us a very complete summary.
Nearly 500 people visited La Casina during the spring and summer of 2025, coming from different countries: Colombia, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile, Cuba, Canada, the United States, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, the Philippines, Congo... and also from many parts of Spain.
In addition to families, friends and TA members, we have welcomed several other groups: teachers and students from Castroverde School in Santander; teachers from the school in Manila (Philippines), on their tour of places associated with Poveda on the 60th anniversary of the school's foundation; pilgrims from a parish in Santander; TA members from Asturias, at different times; TA members from Chicago, Cuba and Canada on the Poveda route in Spain; participants in the ‘Alumbrar el mundo’ (Light up the world) conference organised by the ACIT Spain Federation; young people and leaders from Acit Joven on their ‘Camino a Covadonga’ (Road to Covadonga) pilgrimage; the TA University Group; the numerous pilgrims and participants in the ‘Voto de Covadonga’; etc.
Significant dates
Of particular note is the celebration of important dates in the TA with the people who were staying at or visiting La Casina to experience them, such as the triduum around the feast of Saint Pedro Poveda, which we celebrated together with the Acit Joven group. On 28 July, at 12 noon, the abbot, Fr. David Cueto, celebrated Mass in the basilica in memory of the martyrdom of Pedro Poveda. Several people close to the TA joined us and afterwards we shared a festive meal at La Casina.
On 12 August, we also had a special remembrance and prayer for Victoria Díez, on the anniversary of her martyrdom.
Testimonies
It is impossible to transcribe all the testimonies of gratitude and appreciation for the TA that visitors have written in the guest book. In general, they expressed gratitude for the welcome, the spiritual atmosphere and the legacy of Pedro Poveda.
They also highlighted experiences of personal, vocational and community renewal, with special mention of La Santina and the spirit o
f the TA.
Autumn and winter at La Casina
La Casina continues to be, in autumn and winter, throughout the year, that place of simple and fraternal welcome, of living together, sharing and transmitting the vocation, of encountering La Santina and rediscovering the profound experience of Pedro Poveda in this blessed place and the essence of the Association. A place of peaceful prayer, contemplation and renewing silence; ‘a lamp that burns perpetually in front of the Holy Cave, giving thanks for the countless blessings that God grants to the TA through La Santina and asking Him to preserve the Association's original spirit and to always be faithful to its promises’.
All individuals and groups from the universal TA who are able to visit for a few days will be very welcome.
Isabel Acereda Cadavieco, Covadonga.
TA Translation Team.
You can contact La Casina here.
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