My experience in Venezuela was profound and full of contrasts, moments of intense joy and communion, but also challenges that required resilience and faith.
Upon my arrival at Venezuela’s beloved airport, the Consolata Sisters welcomed me with radiant smiles, shining like a beacon of hope. They embraced me tenderly, filling my mission in Venezuela with light and joy. That joy warmed my heart and I felt moved to say:
“My first mission here is to pray for the government.”
It wasn’t just a declaration, but a promise, an offering of intercession for the leaders of this land so that wisdom, justice, and peace might guide their decisions. In that moment, prayer became my first act of mission, a seed of hope entrusted to God for the good of the nation and the community.
The joy didn’t stop at the airport.
In the community, the sisters had lovingly prepared a banquet to welcome me. At that time, I didn’t know Spanish well except the greetings. I communicated only through a smile that became my language of gratitude, my way of saying:
“I’m at home among you!”
MC Community in Caracas
Feeling welcomed in another culture, in a community, in another country, and with another people, enabled me to be a simple and witnessing presence, and gave beauty to my mission.
I engaged in learning the language, preparing arepas (their food) and oatmeal for those living on the streets, accompanying the catechists, the catechumens, and social ministry, visiting families and praying with them, visiting the sick and the lonely elderly and accompanying the young people.
This made me love the Venezuelan people, they became part of my life. We lived peacefully with full of hope.
Despite the difficult situations in Venezuela, I have discovered that the love, unity, and compassion of the Sisters in the community and of the Venezuelan people retain a surprising strength and dignity, and this has taught me to live the mission with greater humility and gratitude.
Thank you so much Venezuela.
We will meet again soon, God willing. I carry with me your strength, your faith, and your ability to hope against all hope. I am grateful because you have transformed my mission into a home, my presence into a gift, and my life into a shared journey.
In the midst of trials, you have remained a community and a people who welcome, who fight, who collaborate, and who believe.
I carry you in my heart with profound gratitude and with the certainty that the Lord will continue to walk with you, to bless your land and protect each one of you. Until God brings us together again, let us remain united in prayer and hope. THANK YOU FROM THE HEART VENEZUELA!!!
Consolata Missionary Sisters is an international religious congregation, founded in Turin on 29 January 1910 by Saint Joseph Allamano, we serve the Church in the mission of first proclamation of the Gospel to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ, the true consolation of the Father.
Called by the Holy Spirit to share in the Charism, God’s gift to Father Founder, we offer our life to Christ forever, in the mission ad gentes, that is, to non-Christians, for the proclamation of salvation and consolation.
