Solidarity mission: the Theatines of Argentina as a breath of fresh air
We share the report of the Provincial Father of the Theatines of Argentina, Fr Pedro M. Romero, in which he shares the experience lived together with those in formation, after the dramatic situation caused by the fire that has devastated a good part of the province of Corrientes.
Due to a great drought, high temperatures, lack of rain, and biomass of vegetation without moisture, which caused and continues to cause natural disasters in the north of Argentina, especially the province of Corrientes.
More than 800,000 hectares burned, houses and towns burned, native animals and livestock killed and the production of pine and eucalyptus afforestation and wood destroyed.
The main protagonists were the local people and the volunteer firefighters who fought tirelessly against the fire to save the residents and the animals. On the other hand, there was a great abandonment by the Government and politics.
Faced with all this reality, together with the students of our Theatine Province of Argentina, we feel the need to help through a solidarity mission. We have a house in Empedrado Corrientes that is run by the Theatine Fathers Fr. Mario Giménez, CR superior and parish priest, and Fr. Enrique Alfonso, CR. We arrived with the aspirants and juniors to help from faith, close to those who suffer and encouraging hope in the face of so much sadness that caused this catastrophe.
We arrived at the place (rural settlement) of Bajo Lomas in Empedrado Corrientes. We visit the families, we bless their houses, we talk with the people about the problems they are experiencing. In the afternoon we gathered them to share the Word of God, play with the children, the young people and celebrate mass.
The experience of this mission left traces in the hearts of our students; Facundo Martínez, Santiago Maulen, Brother Santiago Daue and Brother Jeremías Aguirre CC.RR. and thus our love for the Church and the Order is strengthened. Mission is a call to holiness. From the life of God in each one, from the experience of knowing and feeling saved and loved by Jesus, faith arises. This love in our hearts impels us not to silence what we have inside and to share the same feeling as Saint Paul: “Woe to me if I did not evangelize!” (1 Cor 9:16).
P. Pedro Miguel Romero C.R.
