The Teresian Association in Bilbao recently celebrated one hundred years of educational presence in this Spanish city (1924-2024). For this purpose, they organised a conference about the first steps taken by the Association in Bilbao. A thanksgiving Mass was led by the Ikasbide School.
On 2 October, the Bidebarrieta Conference Hall hosted a conference entitled ‘The Teresian Association in Bilbao: 1st Stage 1924-1936.’ The speakers were María Pilar Díaz Palacio, retired professor of the Teacher Training College of the University of the Basque Country/EHU Bilbao, and María Ángeles Esteban del Hierro, graduate of the Teacher Training College of the Church of Our Lady of Begoña.
They presented the history and life of the TA over the years. There was a musical interlude both before and at the end of the presentations. A former student of Ikasbide, Claudia García Montáñez, performed the Bach Suite no. 1.
Among the large number of attendees was the bishop of the diocese, Bishop Joseba Segura, as well as priests, teachers, members of the TA, former students of the centre and of TA student residences, and people who were not familiar with the TA.
Mass at the Ikasbide School
Moreover, the annual Mass held at Ikasbide School on the feast of St. Teresa was special this year because it coincided with both the 100th anniversary of the educational presence of the TA in Bilbao and the centenary of pontifical approval.
The motto chosen was ‘Direct your gaze!’, which is closely linked to a quotation from Pedro Poveda: ‘Esteem justice as much as life’.
The Mass was celebrated in the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Indautxu and was attended by a large number of people from the educational community and by people who have come into contact in some way with the TA.
Concelebrating were Alex Alonso Gilsanza, territorial vicar of Vicariate IV, collaborator in the pastoral care of Ikasbide School and friend of the TA; Miguel Vera Artazcoz, recently appointed parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, moderator of the Autonomía-Indautxu Pastoral Unit; and Alfredo López, a retired priest with whom members of the TA have worked for many years and a good friend of the TA.
Finally, the choir sang songs in Spanish and Basque. The homily included texts from Saint Teresa and encouraged people to be humble and to live in truth and joy.
For further information, please visit the website of the TA in Spain..
TA Translation Team.
Published in News