Last Monday, Casa San Justo (Saint Just House) hosted a meeting of Pastoral Vocacional Intercongrecacional (Intercongregational Vocations Team).
Fr. Álvaro celebrated Mass with Fr. Juan Carlos as concelebrant, and the assembly of religious filled the house chapel and adjoining space.
Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, Coordinator of Vocation Ministry for the Foundation of Colombia, organized the meeting for the Bogotá group, comprised of about 40 religious women and men who serve in vocation ministry for their religious communities.
“The companions from this intercongregational team have been an important support in my exercise of this ministry in vocations. They’ve invited me to listen, to see distinct realities, and to feel stronger in the midst of difficulties,” Fr. Juan Carlos said.
The group has been together for over 30 years in the Archdiocese of Bogotá, and Fr. Juan Carlos joined them three years ago when he moved from his ministry at Colegio San Viator (Saint Viator School) in Tunja to shift into vocation ministry based in Bogotá. They work together to provide each other mutual support, give witness to religious life around the Bogotá area, and do outreach together to young people, especially to the schools and universities where they study.
After some time for welcome, the day began with Mass in the rearranged house chapel, which was adapted to host the larger crowd. Monseñor Edwin Vanegas, Auxiliary Bishop of Bogotá, was scheduled to attend and celebrate Mass but had to withdraw due to an illness in his family. So, Fr. Álvaro Vásquez, a Sacramentino priest who is the current president of the group, stepped in. Fr. Álvaro then offered a session on the work and plans of the group, and Fr. Juan Carlos also presented on Viatorian spirituality and our approach to vocation ministry.
The religious women and men enjoyed hospitality at Casa San Justo, courtesy of Fr. Juan Carlos, Fr. Dan, Idalí, and the pre-novices.
Fr. Juan Carlos had lots of help from his housemates in this house of formation. Director de Postulantes (Pre-Novitiate Director) Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV, helped welcome the group and served as acolyte to Fr. Álvaro and Fr. Juan Carlos at Mass. Postulantes (pre-novices) Ángel Vásquez and Andrés Rozo helped ready the house, and the house’s cook, Idalí, prepared snacks and lunch.
To top it all off, Fr. Juan Carlos noted a special occasion. “Monday was Día de Mujer (Women’s Day), so Fr. Juan Carlos had purchased a rose as a gift for each of the sisters present – it was a hit!” Fr. Dan said. “Idalí came in early to start the food prep. It was all Viatorian hospitality at its best.”
Our Colombian house of formation was a fitting venue to host the very women and men who invite young people into discernment. “It was an opportunity to continue growing in communion as a Church and, undoubtedly, to continue presenting the best of the Viatorian charism, especially in this space for strengthening our vocation ministry,” Fr. Juan Carlos said.
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Fr. Juan Carlos presented to the group on the Viatorian charism and the vocation ministry approach of our community.