Covadonga 2023: Lots to communicate and be thankful for

With a day of lovely summer weather and with an atmosphere of shared celebration, on Sunday, 8 October, the Teresian Association presented to Our Lady of Covadonga our recent International Meeting of Member Associations and the 19^th General Assembly as well as the fruits of our mission in other places.

“We have so much to communicate, so much for which to be thankful and so many reasons to bless the Lord” said Gregoria Ruiz, President of the Teresian Association. She was speaking at the Votive Offering of Covadonga, an annual event when the TA presents the fruits of our mission before the Santina with gratitude for all the gifts received and a request for light and help to keep on going ahead.

A large number of members came on pilgrimage from different parts of Spain. Others joined from Portugal, France, India, RD Congo, Chile and the United States. In addition to the new TA president, there were four members of the new General Council at the event.

Personal witness

The Basilica of Covadonga was the setting for the three phases of this pilgrimage 2023. It culminated with the pronouncing of the votive offering formula at the end of Mass at midday on Sunday.

That morning, each of those making the offering spoke about their mission with all the lights and shadows, fruits and needs of the mission projects and activities that they carry out with other members and collaborators.

Mª Carmen Aragonés, sector director of Spain, welcomed everyone. She also thanked the abbot, D. Adolfo Mariño Gutiérrez, for making it possible for us to hold the events on the premises.

The TA president, Gregoria Ruiz, then spoke on behalf of the entire Teresian Association, “with humility and gratitude” in expressing our desire to present the fruits of the recent General Assembly. She said that they translate into our priority for the next five years which is: ‘Teresian Association, a people reaching out, share the charism that you have received’. She added that this motto sums up the rich and deep experience of the Spirit felt by the participants when they were discerning during the TA International Meeting of Member Associations and the General Assembly. It has become a commitment and a call. It is a collective call rather than individual, reaching out to our whole Teresian Association with its associations, communities, activities and projects.

Those making the offering then presented their testimonies..

• Sylvie Mbo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo is finishing her degree in computer management. She represented the group of young people who are getting to know the TA.
• Vicky Geraldo, is a neonatologist in Chicago, USA. In addition to her profession, she dedicates time to accompanying ACIT groups in this country
• Verenne Viegas, from India is a counsellor in a diocesan school and also forms part of the parish council and that of the diocese of Pune.
• Pilar Gascón, from Spain carries out tasks of accompaniment and community animation in the TA.
• Antonia Somoano, is based in France. She represented the European countries of Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal that comprise the sector where she has been director until recently.
• Diego Sarabia, is a member of the ACIT association in the north of Spain. He is a family man, teacher and active member of the TA.
• Sarah Gandarillas, is an undergraduate in Social Work and is a member of ACIT Joven. She represented Sara Cascais, from Portugal who was unable to attend the event. Both of these young people were at the recent World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023 as part of the TA group.

Each of these testimonies as well as the words of welcome from Mª Carmen Aragonés and the message from the TA president have been compiled into a booklet and can be read and downloaded here.

Unity

After these representatives gave their testimonies, all the pilgrims attended Mass in which TA members participated in the introduction, the readings and the petitions, as well as at the moment of thanksgiving when those making the offering came out before the assembly to pronounce the votive prayer which can be seen in this attached video.

It was the 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the parable of the vineyard, Mt 21:33-43, was proclaimed. During the homily, the abbot, D. Adolfo Mariño, referred to the TA and encouraged us to daily renew the enthusiasm of first love that was felt at the moment of the foundation of the Association. He also prayed for the new governance team and encouraged them to be united in the spirit and in synodality with the Church.

To view the full homily, click here.

The prayer of the faithful presented by those making the votive offering can be viewed here.

Those who are making the offering with the TA president and members of the General Council and the Sector Director of Spain.

Praying together

Those who came to make the offering and many of the pilgrims were already here in or near Covadonga on Saturday afternoon.

In the mid-afternoon, those making the offering had a meeting with the Council and other TA leaders in the Casina, a house that is available for small group activities. Afterwards, they joined the pilgrims for prayer in the Basilica. The prayer was prepared by the ‘Youth for Education’ group. These are professionals who are starting out as educators at different levels and who wish to follow Povedan values. They occasionally meet in Covadonga.

Encounter in the Casina.

TA Information Department.
TA Translation Team