From 18 to 22 December, the General Congregation was convened by Fr. General Carles Gil i Saguer, Sch. P., in the Santa Teresa community, a house of spirituality located in the city of Zaragoza, within the Piarist Province of Emaús. The General Congregation was welcomed by Roberto, a Piarist junior from Emaús, who presented the spirituality house whose purpose is to be a place of mission and apostolate for the accompaniment of individuals and groups. The community is made up of seven members: Eloy Fernández, Sch. P. (Rector of the community), Ion Aranguren, Sch. P., Roberto Zabalza, Sch. P., Dialomao Diatta, Sch. P., Juan Carlos de la Riva, Sch. P., Teresa Fernández, and Mikel Elizari, both in a one-year community experience. Together they offer a true home environment to those who visit them, along with the valuable and diligent work of Anielka in the kitchen and Javier in the garden.
Fr. Carles Gil, Sch. P., together with the General Assistants and the Secretary General, set the agenda in order to continue the mission entrusted by the General Chapter. Through reflections and shared exchanges, the General Congregation continues to offer the circumscriptions accompaniment and continuity for institutional projects, as well as attention to the needs of persons.
Alongside this working agenda, the General Congregation also had moments of sharing life and community with several groups: the Santa Teresa House of Spirituality community; the Betania community—an elderly care and retirement house—(under the careful accompaniment of Fr. José Pascual Burgués); the community of Peralta de la Sal; the group of young people preparing for Confirmation from Calasanz Movement; and, at the episcopal residence of the Diocese of Huesca, Msgr. Fr. Pedro Aguado, Sch. P., and the celebration of Fr. Carles Gil’s 50th anniversary.
During these visits, the General Congregation shared daily life, the Eucharist, and moments of mutual acquaintance. The fathers residing in the Betania house were filled with great joy when the General Congregation shared with them the good news of the Order’s growth across the four continents. In their eyes one could see love for the mission, together with memories of gratitude and blessing.
The General Congregation also visited the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, as well as the Church of the Piarist Fathers—Saint Thomas Aquinas Church—located next to the Escuelas Pías School.
The General Congregation’s work agenda and conversations were extended to the General Council of the Fraternity; the General Coordinators of Calasanz Movement, and Pastoral Care for Vocations—Fr. Roland Markus, Sch. P., and Fr. Daniel Toro, Sch. P., respectively; and the General Delegates—Fr. Javier Alonso, Sch. P., Fr. Emmanuel Suárez, Sch. P., and Fr. Julio Alberto Álvarez, Sch. P.
Thank you to everyone for building a great community of prayer and work. Thank you for welcoming each member of the General Congregation. Thank you for facilitating the work of the Order. The General Congregation wishes you a Merry Christmas! Special congratulations to the young people in the Confirmation group of Calasanz Movement: Sara, Pablo, Laura S., Laura B., Mario, Iraitz, Gabriel, Pilar, Lucía, and Viqui. Congratulations! May God continue to provide for you and confirm you in His love.
