This year 2025, the celebration of St. Pedro Poveda was lived in the Teresian Association as a triduum: from July 26 to 28, the feast day itself and the anniversary of the founder's martyrdom. Peace and dialogue, gentleness and commitment have been the underlying themes, looking at the pressing needs of the world and in communion with the voice of the Church.
The proposal to extend the celebration over three days also sought to open it up geographically and thanks to the internet, to bring together members, friends, former students, and people in different parts of the world who collaborate with or feel part of the great TA family, as explained in the invitation.
An Appeal for Peace
The culmination of these days was the celebration of the Eucharist in Santa María de Los Negrales, presided by Jesús Junquera, Canon of the Cathedral of La Almudena, with four concelebrating priests.
Among the congregation were people who had come from different parts of Spain and other countries, and a group from the United States who were beginning a pilgrimage following the route of the Povedan places: Linares, Guadix, Jaén, Covadonga... and Madrid.
The TA President, Gregoria Ruiz, in her opening remarks, highlighted the meaning of these three days lived as a Church, in deep communion, and as a people “who cry out and desire peace and believe in the power of dialogue and set out to build bridges. Inspired by Poveda, by how he lived and transmitted gentleness, we commit ourselves to make it our weapon.”
In his homily, Jesús Junquera spoke warmly about personal experiences that connect him to the TA and emphasized the spirit of “fortitude and love” and the call to be salt, as hallmarks of Teresian identity that are still relevant today.
The presentation of offerings and the sign of peace were two moments in which, the cry for peace, for an end to wars, for life and justice in our world of inequalities, became more evident through symbols and gestures.
Highlights of the Eucharistic celebration.
You can also watch the entire Eucharistic celebration by clicking here 
Commitment
The celebration in Santa María de Los Negrales had begun an hour earlier with the presentation of two initiatives focusing on young people and care for the Earth: the International Encounter of TA Youth (EIJIT), which is currently underway and will culminate in Assisi in a year's time; and the promotion of integral ecology, which the Council for Culture is promoting with the publication of the document Towards an ecological conversion.
Three people from the team animating the EIJIT presented it and the stages that are proposed were expressed with a gesture. Likewise, three members of the permanent commission of the Council for Culture introduced the publication and presented the proposal to move forward as an association toward integral ecology.
Prayer vigil
On the evening of the 27th, from the crypt where the remains of St Pedro Poveda lie, a prayer vigil was broadcast in which the account of María Domínguez Astudillo and Emma Álvarez about the last moments of Pedro Poveda, from the time he was arrested to the discovery of his body was read.
The emotional words of these two women, who had to live through those moments of uncertainty and pain, were intertwined with songs that placed the narrative in the turning point of each person’s life today, leading to fundamental questions or silence in the face of a reality: the surrender of life for love, for consistency in fidelity to Jesus Christ.
Poveda followed Jesus to the end and did so with an attitude of meekness and non-violence. As part of this triduum, on the 27th, participants were invited to deepen their understanding of this theme through personal reflection and group conversation. How can we cultivate meekness in our daily interactions to foster a culture of peace and dialogue? Some of these reflections are collected on a virtual wall that is still active and can be visited by clicking here.
To begin with, this triduum approached the theme of peace and care for the earth through art, the paintings of Mike Moyers, and the Word. This proposal, made by Rosario González, helped us to look at, listen to, and follow the gestures of Jesus in the Gospel and the calls for peace by Pope Leo XIV. This broadcast can still be enjoyed on the YouTube channel (you may turn on automatic translation):
The gathering in Santa María de Los Negrales ended with a talk and shared meal in the garden. Meanwhile, in other places in Africa, America, Asia, and Europe, TA groups also held celebrations or came together to commemorate another year of Pedro Poveda's self-giving and to give thanks for his life and work.
TA Info.
Images: TA Info and A. Cantero.
TA Translation Team.
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