From the 15th to the 17th of November, the decade meeting took place in Málaga, where seven Claretians with less than 10 years of priesthood, together with the Prefect of Spirituality, Fr. Félix Martínez, gathered for the weekend to share this stage of youth and enthusiasm, as well as the challenges and difficulties we face in our daily lives.
For this purpose, the participants went to Villa Nazaret, a spirituality house run by the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth, located just a few minutes from the city centre of Málaga. Despite the adverse weather conditions the city faced two days earlier, the meeting was held without any issues. These were days of great fraternity, joy, and a strong desire to share among all participants. When everyone arrived at the house late at night, the Decade Meeting began, with the theme “CLARETIAN MISSIONARIES, PILGRIMS OF HOPE”.
On Saturday, the 16th, the group was joined by Don Alfonso Crespo, a diocesan priest from Málaga with extensive experience accompanying priests and consecrated people, along with a prolific academic, pastoral, and formative career. In two sessions during the day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, Don Alfonso offered guidance and insights for young priests. The participants also had opportunities for personal moments of reading and reflection, which culminated in group sessions to share the fruits of their reflections. At the end of the day, they enjoyed a relaxed walk through the city centre.
Finally, on Sunday, the main activity was an online meeting with the General Prefect of Formation, Fr. Joseph Mbungu. It was a moment to look at the entire congregation and share the participants’ concerns. Afterwards, there was a final session of reflection and conclusions, with contributions and suggestions. It was a weekend to thank God for the meeting, the prayer, the Eucharistic celebration, and above all, as Saint Paul says to the Romans: Hope does not disappoint.
Fr. Alejandro Suárez, cmf.
