As part of the closing of the Claretian jubilee year in which we celebrated the 175th anniversary of our foundation, the Claretian Spirituality Congress was held in Vic – a privileged moment to delve into the charismatic legacy we have inherited from our founder, Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Through lectures, presentations, workshops and many opportunities to share as a Claretian Family, we deepened the richness and depth of our identity as both mystics and missionaries: rooted in Christ, bold in mission, in love with the Kingdom and passionate in our apostolic work. During the nine days of the Congress, we all breathed the same spiritual fragrance that encouraged us to ground our lives and identity in two fundamentally and radically intertwined pillars: a missionary mysticism and a mystical mission.
This charismatic pairing has never been left in the attic of history or the chest of memories. The call to be both mystics and missionaries, in imitation of Claret, has been constantly renewed in every historical era with evangelical courage and creative fidelity. This fire, which burns from the heart and spreads wherever it goes, has never been locked into a naïve ethnocentric view or suffered from anthropological short-sightedness, but has instead been incarnated – with discerning openness and critical seriousness – in diverse geographies and cultures. Paraphrasing our Founder’s inspired intuition, we can affirm without doubt that the Claretian spirit is for every people and for every time.
From this perspective, it becomes clear that Claretian spirituality – both mystical and missionary – is not only capable of being incarnated in Zimbabwe, but is also called to have a truly significant impact on both the social fabric and the ecclesial community of this people who have welcomed us since 2002. To briefly illustrate the contribution of our spirituality to the land of Zimbabwe, we will use two symbolic categories deeply rooted in Claretian tradition: heart and fire.
Firstly, Claretian spirituality in Zimbabwe is called to instil the principle of cordiality. Claretian mysticism is a mysticism of the heart – it flows from the heart and speaks to the heart: cor ad cor loquitur. In this way, the Claretian charism invites the people who embrace us to dive into the depths of the heart, to avoid being satisfied with the simplicity of the surface, and to interiorise the experience of encountering Christ. Claretian cordiality speaks of maturing in faith journeys, accompanying catechetical paths as true foundational options, inviting each person to open their heart to the mystery and fall in love with the Gospel. This beautifully complements the celebratory, expressive and spontaneous nature of a vibrant faith that is not just professed, but sung, danced, felt and joyfully lived.
Secondly, Claretian spirituality in Zimbabwe is called to rekindle the evangelising fire. The Claretian charism is either 100% missionary or it is not truly Claretian. Our spirituality instils in those around us a burning desire to share the Good News of the Kingdom. The fire of our Claretian identity is highly contagious, encouraging others to become true evangelising agents. This missionary fire speaks of enthusiasm, commitment, generous service, dedication… ultimately, a passion for the God of the people and the people of God. Claretian spirituality offers the Church in Zimbabwe that apostolic fire that drives the bold and prophetic proclamation of the Word of God – a word of life and hope, which overcomes fear and breaks chains, a source of freedom and dignity that raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the rubbish heap.
Mysticism of the heart and missionary fire, cordiality and apostolic zeal – these two charismatic pillars make Claretian spirituality a spearhead in this southern land, two essential elements of our Claretian identity that can offer the people of Zimbabwe both depth and boldness in embracing the faith in Jesus Christ and in glimpsing a horizon of hope.
Fr. Manuel Ogalla, cmf