Some years ago, our Order held a Continuous Prayer gathering at the Oaxaca retreat house, aimed at both religious and lay Piarists from the Central and Northern American Provinces. That assembly offered a beautiful opportunity to value children’s prayer as a gift from God—one that allows us to bring our educational mission to fulfilment and to grow closer to God’s loving and compassionate presence. On that occasion, many lay people and religious from the Province of Mexico participated, sparking new hope and enthusiasm in supporting children’s prayer. Over time, this prayer “seed” took root in numerous locations across the Province. However, the pandemic and related lockdowns affected many of our schools’ usual practices, and children’s prayer was not exempt from this disruption.
In an effort to reinvigorate Continuous Prayer in the Demarcation, Fr. Martín, on behalf of the Province, asked me to organise ongoing formation that would renew the energy and impetus of that previous time. A series of visits was scheduled to the educational centres and parishes, providing educators and catechists with fresh formation anchored in the principles of “Our Continuous Prayer, Today”, combined with prayer workshops designed to foster the willingness to teach children to pray, both in schools and in parishes.
Ultimately, we agreed on a lengthy visit spanning 20 September to 31 October, encompassing all the locations in the Province. Beyond the formation proposal itself, this has been a unique opportunity to discover the richness of the Piarist apostolates and the people who serve them, and above all, to experience the fraternal spirit and warm hospitality in each Piarist community of this beautiful country: Veracruz, Oaxaca, Apizaco, Santa Ana / Ocotlán, Celaya, Puebla, and in Mexico City itself: the Provincial House, the parishes dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Sacred Heart, as well as the formation houses.
At each location, my meeting with the religious was a chance to experience the closeness and joy of getting to know each other, sharing fraternity and prayer. With the laypeople, in the various dynamics of schools and parishes—especially with headteachers, parish priests, and pastoral coordinators—it was wonderful to hear their eagerness and generous commitment to ensure that the spirit of Calasanz inspires and guides their daily work.
In each place, the formation was tailored to each institution, seeking to embed it in the specific context of every location. On the first day of each session, our aim was to delve into the capacities that prayer nurtures in our pupils, and to cultivate the spirit of prayer lived by Our Holy Father, the inspiration for Continuous Prayer ever since its beginnings.
On the second day, we presented the didactics of our proposal in two settings: the classroom or catechetical group, and the chapel or oratory. We also showcased the resources available on the website oracioncontinua.com, freely offered to all who feel called to live the spirit of prayer and bring it into the lives of our children and their families.
This visit has taken time, and many people have made a great effort. The welcome in each community has been touching, and the commitment of educators and catechists outstanding. Personally, I feel deeply grateful for the warmth and consideration shown to me by both religious and lay collaborators. The visit has more than achieved its main objective. Now, each parish and educational centre must embrace the challenge of making prayer the “soul” of our educational and parish projects, with the support and protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Joseph Calasanz. They will always guide and accompany us.
United in prayer,
Fr. Javier Brines
