On May 19-21 there took place in Viseu the 9th Formation unit of the CLM. It was moderated by the psychologist Dr. Miguel Villas Freitas.
The formation started in the late afternoon of Friday 19th. After a warm welcome we had time to mix exchanging smiles, kisses, hugs and news. Yes, these are hugs in the CLM style, as I call them, for being firm and genuine by people who look forward to meeting in order to share unique and nurturing moments!
We started our Saturday with a brief introduction by the formator, to help us better understand what it means to re-read: to make a detailed reading of what has happened in the past and of my characteristics; to be aware that no one does it for me. It consists in being present to the “Presence” for a meeting with myself! And since ‘we all define ourselves by how we relate to others,” this encounter took place in groups so that together we met the signs of this “Presence” in our lives.
Following that, under the direction of our formator, each member of the group was encouraged to take a journey into the past looking for a period of time when we felt very happy. After a brief analysis of the motives of this happiness, we were asked to move this state of peace, success, wellbeing, joy, fulfillment and happiness into the present. We all had the opportunity to meet this pearl of wisdom that had unleashed the happiness that we were living once again. It is necessary to recover this pearl, bring it to the present, take care of it…
We analyzed biblical experiences of this interior re-reading such as, for example, the meeting of Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus or the meeting of Jesus with Nicodemus. In these experiences there are inevitably the following stages: 1) To Reform; 2) To Conform; 3) To Transform; 4) To Confirm.
Those who go through them analyze the areas of their being that need conversion, seek to be reshaped in Jesus, are transformed and go on to live according to this transformation. This way, they get out of themselves, leaving behind false securities and move towards a logic of commitment and service. They move on to enjoy not only what is wellbeing, what satisfies, but even more what fulfills and leaves deeper marks in one’s character!
In the course of the morning we were given moments of individual reflection, followed by the opportunity of sharing two by two and finally with the entire group.
We ended this morning of reflection looking at the documentary, “Celebrating what is good in the world,” by the National Geographic, very rich in messages pointing at the search for what is good in the world.
In the afternoon we reflected on the 24 strengths of character, each one choosing the one that naturally gives way to activity. We asked ourselves individually which strengths we need to work on and which are the most indispensable in our mission as CLM.
Then we had personal reflection with very precise questions in order to understand and share on two points: 1) My passion; 2) My resolve.
In the afternoon prayers we reached moments of great depth and sharing. He, Jesus, is here with us and the Spirit speaks to each one. How beautiful it is to be so united here in the cenacle!
In the evening, to relax, but without losing our recollection, we watched the movie “The Butler.”
On Sunday there were further times of prayer and of sharing.
Three scenes were presented to us on which to concentrate and reflect:
1) “Jesus shows his wounds to Thomas”
– What are my wounds? How to embrace them rather than hiding them?
2) “Footprints in the sand”
– To re-read moments of my life when Jesus picked me up in his arms. With whom and by whom?
3) “To shrink the size of my cross is not a solution.”
– Am I conscious that every time I try to shrink my cross I miss the opportunity to grow both humanly and spiritually?
We search for a personal resolution to take home as a challenge and personal effort, keeping in mind that we will only be happy inasmuch as we commit to change.
In conclusion: Only by meeting myself, seeing myself as I really am, my wounds, my cross and placing it all in the hands of God, allowing myself to be transformed, I will learn to find the best of myself in the world, I will travel on the path that will lead me to my mission and be happy in the mission where I will be assigned.
Gloria Rocha
Last weekend, June 11, we held a program of mission promotion in the parish church of St. Mamede Infesta, in the town of Matosinhos. It was a sunny day and at around 10:00 a.m. we started. I must confess that I was a little worried because 70% of the parishioners were seniors. Would the words of Carlos and Sandra resonate in their hearts? But the Lord reaches everyone and truly, between the two celebrations where we were present and at the missionary rosary that we were allowed to hold, the results were very positive.
