"God wants it, Jesus wants it, Teresa of Ávila wants it… Let's go!" With the power of this motto resonating in the hearts of all the participating sisters, today was lived with great intensity and joy.
Like every other day, the morning began with a time of silence and reflection, but this time in a very special place: Our Father’s little house in Tortosa. In this little corner, where he himself lived and received the inspiration to found the order, we prepared our hearts for a day marked by a rediscovery of our own identity and our own sense of the Teresian vocation.
Next, we enjoyed a time of personal prayer guided by the first founders. This moment evoked the origins of the catechetical movement that connected with Enrique de Ossó’s vocation as an educator, whose heart was moved by the reality of childhood and the need to form both mind and heart. It was an ideal setting for each of us to pause and reflect on what realities move us today and what cries of our time we are called to hear, understanding that the charism is always a gift for the historical moment if we are capable of bringing it to life.
After a brief break, the personal experience became a communal one through a lovely sharing session in small groups, which concluded with a celebration in the church where each group was able to share its conclusions.
After the fellowship meal at the house in Tortosa, the afternoon once again gave way to grateful remembrance and theological depth with the webinar led by Sister Giselle Gómez, stj, titled “A Story with Meaning,” a journey through the Company’s 150-year history, inviting us to rediscover that our institutional memory is not a static block from the past, but a living river of fidelity. Giselle discussed how the Teresian charism has been embodied in different eras and geographies, and issued a strong call for evangelical boldness, reminding us that acknowledging our roots is not meant to fuel nostalgia, but to gain momentum and look toward the future.
Memory does not suggest a primary—much less an exclusive—relationship with the past. Its strongest connection is with the present: the past is there, but only to give depth to the present moment. Memory goes beyond the conceptual; it points to a practice aimed at transforming reality. We remember in order to act. Without this, memory loses its meaning. Memory is, above all, a bringing to light of what has happened—a present that has its source in God’s love and points toward the future. It is a key to understanding that makes history a theophany, a revelation of God who calls us to life and rejects every form of unjust death.
The afternoon continued with reflections on what had been heard during the webinar, which was discussed again in small groups. Guided by the questions posed, the participants were invited to discern and share their thoughts. The dialogue concluded with a prayer asking the Lord for an open and courageous heart, capable of walking “in companionship” and broadening our vision toward the new peripheries.
After dinner, the grand finale of this very special day came with the vigil, which was broadcast live to connect the community gathered in Tortosa with the entire Teresian Family scattered throughout the world. It was a time of communion in our charism, where silence, music, and light allowed us to place the future of the Company in God’s hands, renewing our commitment to continue being a living presence that weaves hope into the heart of the world. Onward!
