On 24 May, Fr. Pedro Aguado travelled to the Delegation of Chile and, later, on 31 May, he arrived at the Piarist presence of the Province of Nazareth in Peru. Between one airport and another, during a layover in Madrid, Fr. Pedro held a virtual meeting with young people from the Province of Nazareth who were gathered in Colombia, together with Fr. Daniel Toro, who is in charge of Vocation Ministry both in his demarcation and at the level of the Order.
Fr. Pedro Aguado spoke with the young people via videoconference, taking the opportunity to share with them his own Piarist vocational experience. The fact that the Father General engages in open dialogue with young people is not only a sign of closeness but also part of a set of carefully planned actions in favour of the young themselves and their personal journeys. It is a gesture of accompaniment and of love for the mission of Calasanz. Saint Joseph Calasanz desired above all that there be Piarists who were committed, authentic in their vocation, and wholly devoted to the service of children and young people. This requires cultivating a vocation culture as a fundamental priority of the Piarist mission in every place and time. If we wish to be faithful to the charism entrusted to the Founder by the Holy Spirit, then we must remain faithful to this priority.
During the visit of Fr. Pedro Aguado, Fr. Oswaldo, and Fr. Julio Alberto Álvarez to the Piarist communities of Peru, Br. Juan Diego Botero, Fr. Jaime, Fr. Carles Such, Fr. Juan Carlos Sevillano, F. Juan Pablo Anduquia, as well as Gloria and Deisy, convened the vocation groups—both male and female—to share their vocational search experiences in an open, fraternal, and profound space for dialogue.
The young men and women gathered for this occasion were invited as a fruit of the Vocation Week held from 28 April to 12 May. The goal of that week was to present vocation as a window of hope for society, the Church, and the Pious Schools, within the context of the ecclesial Jubilee “Pilgrims of Hope.” Many of the participants in the vocation groups chose to join this community as a space for shared discernment. In the style of religious communities, the young people deepened their understanding of what it means to live in a Piarist community and are moved by a desire to learn more closely about Piarist life through the witness of those who accompany them.
The young people said that Piarist life brings them peace, deep joy, enthusiasm, admiration, and a growing interest in the mission. They identified their tutors and mentors as important reference points for their vocational reflection: Fr Juan Pablo, Br Juan Diego, Br David, Fr Carles Such, Fr Juan Carlos, Fr Jaime, and others. For his part, the Father General invited them to reflect on questions such as: What do you most value in the Piarist Fathers? How did you come to join this vocational group? In turn, he answered the young people’s questions, including: Did you have doubts before joining the Piarists? What was your experience of entering the Order? Were you afraid of losing contact with your family? What motivates you to come to Peru?
Perhaps one of the most significant encounters during the five-day visit of the Father General was this one with the young people who, full of youthful passion, wish to live their life, vocation, and mission to the full. Children and young people need guides who are truly committed to listening and engaging with their questions and concerns. Their reflections are like beacons, shedding light on what should be our priorities.
Finally, during the meeting with the group of girls, Fr Pedro Aguado also shared the meaning of vocation as service to the Church and to society. He encouraged them to deepen their vocational journey and spoke to them specifically about the charism and mission of the Calasanctianae Sisters. He explained their life and ministry in detail. Perhaps one day, some of these young women may hear God’s call to join one of the congregations of the Calasanctian Family.
