Vocational Assembly of Compostela
Almost a hundred people participated in the Vocational Assembly of the Province of Compostela, which was held in Salamanca from February 9 to 12, with the theme “Go out. Go up. Go on and now… to serve”.
The meeting, inspired by the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), is a response to the invitation of Br. Máximo Blanco Morán, Provincial, who asked “to overflow with creativity in this process”, which aimed to be a space for listening and dialogue, and a generator of vocational culture.
Throughout the three days the participants reflected on the Compostela Vocation Plan and the meaning that vocation has for each person.
Through different workshops and motivated by the Year of Marist Vocations, which is being celebrated in the Institute, the participants reflected on how to cultivate and care for the Marist vocation and the opportunities to go out to meet other ways of living the Marist Vocation, youth ministry and solidarity, evangelization, communities and the Marist style.
One of the key points of the meeting was the presentation of Professor Francesc Torralba, for whom vocation is a “call” and this implies “someone who calls”, “someone who responds”, and the necessary silence for this “interior listening”. Torralba stressed the importance of the “vocational community” because “you alone cannot achieve it”.
Referring to vocation, Carlos GĂłmez-VĂrseda MartĂnez SJ, vocation promoter of the Society of Jesus in Spain, shared his personal experience of vocation and explained four tools that he considers basic for discernment: examination of the day, spiritual exercises, service-volunteering and accompaniment.
Among the panelists were also Sister Ianire Angulo Ordorika, who explained the formula of the vocation of Zacchaeus (key and image of the assembly). Leandro Fernández Macho, a specialist in leadership, analyzed the care of vocation as a team.
The third day was completed with three workshops on personal care, accompaniment and music and vocation.