Faith, leadership and formation in pastoral education in Chile

On October 4 and 5 in Santiago, Chile, the meeting of pastoral students from our four schools was held.

We came from different places and schools in our country: Vedruna de San Felipe, Santa Joaquina de Puente Alto, Santa Rosa de Constitución and Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Padre Las Casas. The main objective of the meeting was to introduce the students to the topic of leadership and to discover all that they can contribute to encourage and strengthen the pastoral work of their schools.

After a long time of wishing and planning what we would experience, the time has come to meet, to share joy and news, to get to know each other and to experience in the different faces the same educational charism that unites us and invites us to continue encouraging it in each of the places where we are.

Along with the students also came the teachers who accompany them on this journey of animation of pastoral ministry in each place. Although the reality of each center is different, there is a deep desire to animate the faith, the encounter and the formation of themselves and their companions.

In the dynamics we experienced, we were accompanied by joy, games, and joint reflection on the theme of youth and shared leadership.

We also had time to dream. With the elements received, each school carried out a small project that will help them to move forward with the animation of pastoral ministry in their centers. Small steps and tasks that will be significant from the personal commitment and as a group.

We ended by thanking the Lord Jesus for the time and experiences shared, asking for his grace to be light, that small seed that will germinate in each of our schools. We heard St. Joaquina tell us: “Nothing pleases God as much as constancy”. We entrust ourselves to her so that by taking small steps we may remain faithful to the Lord and bring to life what we have dreamed of together.

Chile Youth Mission