CONTIGO Nº 12. May 2015 “Look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and embrace the future with hope” (Pope Francis, message of the Year of Consecrated Life) The Sisters Hospitallers and the Brothers of St John of God have brought the centenary of the “passing into life” of St Benedict Menni to a close Closing Eucharist of the Centenary of the death of St Benedict Menni From 22 to 24 April, around 350 people from everywhere in the world where there is a Hospitaller presence gathered together in Ciempozuelos (Spain), the place where the restoration of the order was consolidated and our institution was founded. Sisters, brothers, users, collaborators and residents of the town jointly ce- lebrated the closing of the centenary of the death of St Benedict Menni. 1 CONTIGO Wednesday, 22 April The welcome ceremony for the pilgrims was held on 22 April in the function room of our mother house, where the Mayoress of Ciempo- zuelos, María Ángeles Herrera, together with the Provincial Superiors, María Rosario Iranzo, a Sister Hospitaller, and José Antonio Soria, a Bro- ther of St John of God, welcomed all the atten- dees. In her speech, María Ángeles Herrera highligh- ted how proud everyone in Ciempozuelos is of St Benedict Menni for his dedication to the mu- Provincial Superiors with the Mayoress of Ciempozuelos nicipality and for his legacy. That is why he was named the town’s co-patron saint and adopted son in 2008 and the Council recognised Ciem- pozuelos as a Hospitaller Town in 2009. The event ended with a concert of various mu- sical styles, in which the Ciempozuelos music band, performed internationally well-known co- vers. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Thursday morning, 23 April embrace the future with hope”. “...not to forget this The day started with a Eucharist in the church in the complex of Brother Jesús Etayo asked us not year’s celebrations the Brothers of St John of God in to forget this year’s celebrations Ciempozuelos, presided over by and experiences and for Benedict and experiences the Bishop José Luis Redrado, OH Menni’s spirit to live on among us and for Benedict and for us to continue finding so- The Superior Generals’ lutions for the sick and needy. Menni’s spirit to live Greeting on among us ...” Next, in the function room, the Conference talks Superior Generals welcomed par- The morning continued with con- ticipants to these days of mee- ference talks given by Brother Luis ting, cohabitation and reflection Valero, who discussed “St Bene- Hospitallers despite the spiritual on the figure of St Benedict dict Menni, 1867–1912. Contribu- and structural crisis of the age Menni. tions to St John of God and the limited resources availa- Hospitality”, and Sister María Con- ble to him. A short break was fo- In her greeting, Anabela Carneiro, cepción Ochotorena, who presen- llowed by a roundtable of the Superior General of the Sis- ted “Father Benedict Menni, the hospitality testimonies, coordina- ters Hospitallers pointed out the life behind the heart”. Both high- ted by Brother Julián Sánchez, in happy coincidence of this cente- lighted the role this Hospitaller which representatives of both nary with the Year of Consecrated saint played during the second institutions participated. The Life. She invited us to take on half of the nineteenth century and morning ended with a fraternal board Pope Francis’s proposal “to they remembered his strength meal in the gardens of the com- look to the past with gratitude, and dedication to the foundation plex. live the present with passion and of the Congregation of Sisters 2 CONTIGO HOSPITALITY TESTIMONIES “Everything I have experienced fills me with gratitude to the Lord for calling me to be and live from and for Hospitality” people as a volunteer. When the go back there sometime?” doors of the Benito Menni Men- tal Health Care Complex opened My question was answered a for us, what we saw there, the month later; we went back thin- welcome we received from the king that there would be no Sisters, and the people who lived third time… But it was when I there, had a huge impact on me. entered the centre’s church that I remember that when I arrived, Maria Jesús (one of the centre’s I was convinced that I wanted to users), sitting in her wheelchair, do something for others, based and even though she found on my Christian faith, but God speaking extremely difficult (she Ana María Domene was just an idea, something I only moved her hand), with eyes had been taught, rather than an that expressed everything that I arrived in San Boi (Barcelona, essential experience for me. her voice was not able to do, Spain) 26 years ago with two When I returned home, I asked and after only seeing me once friends with a desire to help God: “Do you think that I could before, called me by my name: 3 CONTIGO “Ana”. That was the moment when I felt “They conveyed the va- God’s presence in a way that I had never felt before. Jesus’s words “Whatever you lues that Benedict Menni did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me” were lived for and demonstra- embodied in her. ted with his actions” Picking up the Gospel and reading the passage on the Good Samaritan after this My story is about a life experience was like entering into a dialo- project, about seeking a gue with someone I could touch and see; place in this world. During and especially, as far as I was concerned, my search, I have tried to these people became living temples of follow the values that I God, despite their difficulties, limitations think are important for and diseases. helping others. That is why I studied medicine, Life of service Paula María Álvarez and I specialised in family My experience of Hospitality is rooted strongly in fertile land that has been wa- and community medicine. I wanted to be alongside tered by the life of service of those who people, accompany them in health, in sickness, in came before me and who discovered in happiness and in sadness. I was fascinated by pa- John of God, Benedict Menni, Maria Jo- lliative care; its philosophy spoke of human values, sefa Recio and Maria Angustias Giménez, and that’s how I learnt that it was important not a path to follow; not only have we conti- only to cure diseases, but, above all, to CARE for pe- nued to follow this path, we are also con- ople in all aspects of their lives and accompany fident that others will do so in the future. them through difficult moments, such as when they are dying. Today, looking back, aware of everything I have experienced, I can say that I never This is how I learnt how important values such as doubted His call; if I am here with you empathy, solidarity, listening, accompanying, res- today, it is because He and He alone has pect, and closeness were. It is important for the sustained my life. Because I too have felt practice of my profession to be steeped in these va- hurt and on the edge of the path. He has lues. healed my wounds, has washed my feet, has given me His weapons, a washbowl In March 2007 I had the opportunity to work in a with water, a towel, and a Mother, Our Sisters Hospitallers centre. This was a great revela- Lady of the Sacred Heart. tion for me, because there they practised a value as important as HOSPITALITY. It was a value in capital Everything I have experienced fills me letters, encompassing all the values required to care with gratitude to the Lord for calling me for people. Everything fascinated me: the welcome to be and live from and for Hospitality, I received and which I saw others receive, the pro- and I experience this Hospitality as a fessionalism they displayed in their work (a perfect source and spring of compassion rising combination of technical quality and humanity) and up from the depths of His Heart: “a boun- the living example of the Sisters, who were the role dless heart”. model of this great hospitality, and who conveyed the values that Benedict Menni lived for and de- monstrated with his actions. Ana María Domene Paula María Álvarez Manzanares Sister Hospitaller A collaborator with Sisters Hospitallers 4 CONTIGO “Today society demands something new from us; it is time to renew and update hospitality” lack Father Menni’s bravery to “Se hoje voltasse carve a path for hospitality in the twenty-first century? He knew a nascer, voltaria how to read God’s steps in his life, to find a solution to the a ser Irmão de needs of the moment, yet how São João de difficult it is for us to have more flexible structures that enable us Deus” to reach every last member of society. Undoubtedly problems and drawbacks will arise, but we brothers and sisters, sharing my Eduardo Ribes are called to walk impetuously, faith and my life. I always say with our gaze set on God and on that I’m in love with community humanity, with secure fearless life, and that doesn’t mean that Rather than my personal testi- steps, God will always be by our there are no difficulties, mo- mony I would like to share side. As Jesus says in the Gospel ments of weakness, of crisis, some aspects that concern me “I will be with you every day, until but that desire to build, to grow as a Brother and how to relate the end of the world”.