The Alumni Network of the Teresian Association in Spain held an international virtual meeting of Teresian Association alumni on 16 November. The event was attended by more than 200 people from the four continents where the Teresian Association is to be found. Several testimonies were broadcast over the course of the event.
The virtual meeting began with a few words from Loreto Ballester, the driving force behind the Alumni Network in Spain. She thanked and welcomed all the people gathered virtually for the occasion. In parallel, Loudette Pascua, a member of the TA, was in charge of the English translation. Also present was the president of the Teresian Association, Gregoria Ruiz, who gave an insightful speech after the testimonies.
From left to right Loreto Ballester, Gregoria Ruiz and Loudette Pascua.
All those present had one thing in common, and that is that they had all studied in TA educational establishments, whether in schools or university residences. The motto of the meeting -- ‘Footprints that transform’ -- are ‘those of us who have been educated by the TA and bear fruit in our lives,’ as Loreto Ballester said.
Personal stories
Some of the videos received with the experiences and statements of people from more than 20 countries were shown. In these we could see and hear very diverse voices with their very different experiences, impressions and projects.
From left to right María Edén, Tonchi and Marta Cruz.
Many highlighted the values they received from their education in a Teresian Association school. This was the case of Joaquín Dávila, former student of the Isabel Flores de Oliva School in Lima, Peru, who emphasised the value of solidarity. Tonchi, who studied at the Catholic Higher Teacher Training College ‘Sedes Sapientiae’ in Cochabamba, Bolivia, agreed with him and added other values such as commitment, loyalty and empathy. 
Teachers also spoke. Claudio Varas from the Pedro Poveda School in Cochabamba made this statement about what he had learned from the TA: ‘It taught me the importance of education as a tool for transforming society’. María Edén from Spain who teaches in the Santa Teresa de León School, left this reflection: ‘They showed me that teaching from the heart is the most valuable thing a teacher can do.’ Marta Cruz, principal of Pedro Poveda School in Jaen, said that she learned that ‘it is necessary to know people well in order to identify the individual needs of each one.’ 
In general, the majority highlighted the feeling of belonging to a big family, the concept of educating from the heart by giving importance to the person you have next to you and the effort to bring about a fairer world.
After the testimonies, a connection was made with a group of former students from Guadix (Granada), who carried out a symbolic gesture before Our Lady of Grace at the shrine there. Each one placed a candle in front of the altar, four in total, one for each continent. Finally, they prayed to Our Lady, as Pedro Poveda did when he was a young priest in the neighbourhood of Las Cuevas.
Message from Gregoria Ruiz
The TA president, Gregoria Ruiz, then said a few words. She referred to all the alumni of the TA: ‘You collectively represent those who, at significant stages of their life journey, were educated in Teresian Association establishments. This has left its mark, an imprint that you recognise in yourselves and in others who have shared similar experiences. It is seen in your way of looking at things and how you think, act and respond with the values of the Gospel to the challenges of our world with roots in the Povedan charism.’
She also pointed out that this year, when the TA celebrates the 100th anniversary of its pontifical approval, it is interesting to note that the letter of application for this approval in 1923, signed by Josefa Segovia, contained some significant statistical data: 146 Teresian members, 150 technical co-workers, 462 former students, 703 young people. She posed this question to those present: ‘Don't you think it is marvellous that, from the very beginning, at the official presentation of the TA to the Church, there were already former students?’
Gregoria Ruiz alluded to the three main lines of mission of the TA for the coming years, and based on these she encouraged the attendees to continue adding their gifts, skills and energies to contribute to human development and social transformation. She then invited them to visit Santa María de los Negrales in Spain, an emblematic place for the Association, and after saying goodbye, she connected with them live.
This time was used for prayer and silent reflection. In addition, a series of questions were asked, which were answered voluntarily in the chat.
Finally, Loreto Ballester invited all those present to turn on their video cameras and smile to leave a photographic souvenir of this online meeting.
TA Traslation Team.
Info TA.
Published in News