SM- Siesta Marianista

“Sometimes prayer is an inner struggle, and sometimes it means surrendering one’s whole being. At a given moment it becomes simply resting in God in silence.  That is perhaps one of the high points of prayer.” ~Roger of Taize

The culture here in Peru has a wonderful gift called siesta.  It is a time during the afternoon where everyone rests, shops are not open, the sun is blazing hot, so folks normally take a nap.  While in the US the initials SM have many jokes (Still Meeting…etc) here it refers to the time after lunch for siesta (SM = Siesta Marianista).  J

Siesta is such a gift. I really like the pace it sets for the day, and the focus that work is important but what is most important is taking care of yourself and that means taking time to rest.

This past weekend I had time to rest.  We celebrated Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Independence Days) so we had a couple days off.  I spent the weekend in Trujillo with the Brothers Community at San Jose Obrero.  The Brothers who live in Trujillo are all Americans who have been living here for decades- and for me that is good news because it means they are bilingual.  Our conversation was a mix of Spanish and English all weekend…which provided me with a bit of a mental break. 

I was able to take some time to just walk around the property, think, listen to music and enjoy archaeological sites in Trujillo.  While walking and reflecting I came to realize that my first month here has been filled with grace, but also has been a little overwhelming.  With learning a language and culture I was pretty tired all the time, but was not taking time to rest the amount I needed to.  The above quote about resting in God in silence was a really good reminder. Here's to siesta, resting and balance...new challenges for the month ahead!

Our Community taking time for some leisure to celebrate the Anniversary of the Pastoral Center here in Otuzco.  Such a fun night of good food, drinks, good conversation and some dancing.

 Resting at the beach in Huanchaco- near Trujillo

On my days off Padre Ralph and I visited archaeological sites.  This picture is from the Huaca de la Luna- the temple of the Mochi people who lived around 200BC.  

 This little museum that we visited is a private collection of artifacts and is under a gas station.  Our guide was very casual with the artifacts and this is me blowing into a conch from 200BC from the Mochi people.  Holy cow- I held and used an artifact that was 2200 years old...pretty cool! 

Reflections on Giftedness

"Our greatest vocation is to be ourselves" Thomas Merton

I have lived here in Peru for about three weeks now- and have done a lot of experiencing in these past three weeks.  Most things are pretty different and with a language barrier- by the end of everyday I am pretty tired because communicating is mentally exhausting.  Exhaustion is occurring because of the amount of learning I am doing here in Peru and it is this learning that I have been focusing a lot on in my time here, however last week I had the opportunity to begin focusing on (and perhaps even learning about) giftedness.

Early in the week we had a mini-misión in Purupampa. Deysi, Giancarlo, Jose Luis and I- along with 3 of our agentes pastorales (folks from other pueblos who have been attending formation type programs here at the Centro for a number of years) headed to spend a couple days with the community at Purupampa. We had quite an adventure in Purupampa- Deysi spearheaded our portion with the jóvenes and Don Faustino (agente pastoral) led a celebración de la palabra con los adultos.  In talking to Don Faustino I learned that he only has 2 years of primary education- but has been working with the Marianists here for the past 3 years.  His leadership and confidence in presiding at the celebración was really incredible- he has a gift for leading folks in prayer. 

 Our work with the jovenes at the school in Purupampa

In the morning of our second day at Purapampa we climbed a mountain- from left to right Don Rosario, Don Modesto, Deysi, Me, Don Faustino

These types of rocks litter the Peruvian countryside- from left to right Don Modesto, Deysi, Don Faustino, Me, Don Rosario 

My community is made up of diverse peoples with a great variety of gifts.  Giancarlo has boundless energy and is gifted at playing guitar (and has the patience to teach others how to play).  Deysi is warm and relatable, has a talent for the practical things of life here (like clothes washing etc.) and also is extremely talented at ministry with the jovenes.  In true Marianist fashion, my community extends beyond just those I live with- it includes the agente pastoral who we work with.  Don Faustino is gifted at leading folks in prayer.  Don Rosario has a practical sense about the things of the land here.  Don Modesto is flexible and easy going. 

With all these people and all their gifts, I have been learning a lot which is great and important for growth and humility.  This week, though, for the first time I was able to share one of my gifts.  On Thursday we had our first ‘English class’ in the community.  Donny, Deysi, Giancarlo and I sat in the dining room for a couple hours, talking, asking questions, writing on a papelote (bulletin board paper), providing clarification for confusing words and ideas, and generally attempting to master a basic dialogue.  It was a lot of fun, and I learned about Spanish while teaching English.  I never identified speaking English as a gift before and I imagine in the next many months I will discover more exciting things about myself.  

Blessings to all who read this, in whatever part of the world you are! :)

Just when I think I start getting the hang of things....the internet here with my computer runs into some troubles...my apologies for the funky formatting...life is an adventure

Nuestra Mision

Nuestra Mision- Formacion de Agentes Pastorales y Comunidades de Fe
Our Mission- Formation of Pastoral Agents and Communities of Faith

This week I began my participation in the works of our community.  We had three events planned this week.  On Wednesday a visit to to Huacaday to have a meeting with the jovenes(young people) to talk about communities of faith.  On Saturday a visit to Yamobamba to have a meeting with the jovenes to talk about mission and on Sunday  a jornada (a retreat/workshop day) for the agentes pastorales (adult pastoral agents).


Wednesday's visit to Huacaday did not exactly go as planned.  We arrived to give the meeting only to discover that there were no jovenes anywhere in the pueblo...they were in Otuzco attending the wake of a community member.  So we did not program that evening.  The trip was worthwhile though for one reason- the stars.  The little pueblos that we visit are just starting to get some electricity- Huacaday has lights in the church, but when we turned them off the sky just lit up with stars.  I have never seen that many stars- there is no large city nearby so light pollution did not obstruct our view.  It is also really interesting to look at the stars because here in the Southern Hemisphere- the Southern Cross is our major constellation.

The chapel at Huacaday- the top picture hangs on the wall above the little reredos- the bottom picture is of the reredos, altar and Deysi (one of the other volunteers)










Saturday's visit to Yarobamba was great.  We headed out after lunch to travel to the pueblo.  The road to get there was so bumpy, which I feel like fits well with my first week here in Peru.  There have been many bumps this week with my fumbling over Spanish to communicate with my community and learning basic tasks like how to light the stove and how to hand wash my clothes. The bumps along the way though help smooth out the rough edges and made all of us very excited upon our arrival at our destination.  At Yarobamba we had about 8 middle school aged girls who joined us for our meeting.  Before the meeting began Jose Luis was playing guitar and he started playing Pescador de Hombres...a familiar song! I sang along and for the first time was really able to pray in Spanish with my community...such a gift.  The presentation with the girls went well and I was able to participate a little bit by helping recap group presentations. On the way home, the sun began to set over the mountains...illumining the bright greens, yellows and browns which outline the mountains, a beautiful gift at the end of a good day!

 The Church at Yamobamba

 Deysi, Jose Luis and Giancarlo

 Our group for the meeting- jovenes of Yamobamba, Don America and Jose Luis, Giancarlo and I (Deysi was taking this picture)

The fountain in the little plaza of the pueblo...the sun set over these mountains :)

Sunday's jornada took place at our house/ the Centro de Formacion de Pastoral Rural- Maria Madre del Buen Consejo.  Around 45 campesinos (farm folks from the pueblos) arrived at our house between 8:30 and 9 am (ok some arrived after 9 too).  We began with prayer in the chapel, then energizing praise songs in the large community room (auditorio).  After the songs is was time to start the rotation of talleres (workshops).  Giancarlo and I had the taller which focused on fiestas patronales y celebracion de la palabra (Patronal Feast Days and Celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word).  I started out by asking our group about patronal feasts, saints and the liturgy of the word...the groups were so patient as I butchered my Spanish.  After that we broke them up into groups to see if they could list the parts of a Liturgy of the Word, during this time the campesinos called over to me affectionately gringa or gringita if they had questions.  Finally it was time to present our papelotes (like bulletin board paper) of the celebracion which Giancarlo and I had worked on all week.  By the time we got to this part of the presentation I was glad- because at least I had a little more of a guide for speaking.  After three rotations of the tallers it was time for Mass in the chapel.  Padre Ralph drove in from Trujillo to say Mass for us.  Mass was beautiful, the chapel was filled to overflowing! After Mass Padre Ralph told me that the reason the Centro Pastoral was formed, was because the people here had been abandoned by the government and the church. It was clear to me, that the campesinos who come here and who we visit feel loved, valued and welcomed in the Spirit of God.  They also have a deep understanding of God's love because as they were leaving they thanked each of us who live and work here at the Centro with hugs, kisses on the cheek, deep appreciation and gratitude.  I felt so welcome and loved by them, even though I was new and my Spanish was not great- they accepted me and warmly welcomed me into their Christian community of faith.

 Opening prayer in the chapel- Isela is the one standing to the far right in red

 Opening praise songs 

 Hermano Douglas and Padre Ralph giving an orientation of the day

After the jornada programming is over- everyone goes down to the cocheria (where we keep the cars) to eat a hearty lunch before heading home...in true Marianist spirit feeding body and soul

The campesinos who I am 'serving' or rather learning from are rich in spirit, joy, love, pride in self and wisdom of God.

My New Community

"Hagan Lo Que El Les Diga"

"Do Whatever He Tells You"

When I arrived in Lima, Peru Bro. Felipe Melcher welcomed me to Peru with open arms and gave me a cross with the Marianist Cross on the front and an image of Mary- with the line "Hagan Lo Que El Les Diga" on the back.  I feel that this fits well with the journey that I am beginning here in Peru.  

It is funny that when we do what God asks- immense grace is possible.  I have experienced that grace already in the beautiful people I have met while here in Peru.  

I spent an evening and a morning in Callao (it is near Lima) staying with Bro Felipe at the community house there.  I met a CLM (Communidad Laico Marianista/Marianist Lay Community) from Santa Rosa in the morning before heading to the airport to fly to Trujillo.  

When I arrived in Trujillo, Bro Douglas and Jose Luis (the community director at the Centro Pastoral) greeted me and we traveled to the Brothers community in Trujillo.  The community there sits on the grounds of a beautiful Marianist School.  The Brothers who live in Trujillo are UD graduates so we got to chatting a bit about the university and things Marianist. I am so thankful for their immense hospitality and ability to chat a bit in English my first full day in Peru.

The next morning Jose Luis and I traveled to Otuzco.  The small city is located in the Andean Mountain range here in Peru.  This is a photo from near our community house. 

My community consists of Jose Luis, his wife Isaela, their two boys Mariano and Sebastian, Bro Douglas, Giancarlo, Deysi and I.  We also have a little bunny and cat that live with us in our courtyard.  The graciousness and hospitality with which the community has welcomed me has been a true gift and grace from God.  They are very patient with my limited Spanish, and are helping me learn poco a poco (little by little).  I have spent a bit of time with Giancarlo exploring Otuzco.  Asking questions in the market about what everything is called.  The market has all sorts of things from little bags to spices to fruits and veggies and live (and not so alive animals).  

It is certainly a bit different than home, but from what I can tell the market has all we will need.  It is a good system because it allows people to eat and drink things that are local and fresh. 

Our community house is right near a large shrine church "La Virgen de La Puerta" ("The Virgen of the the Door).  There is great devotion to Our Lady here in Peru, right next to the church there are mantles that pilgrims have prayed under for over 100 years.  There is a space in the church near La Virgen (she is above the main entrance to the church in the location of what would typically be the choir loft) where people are able to kneel and pray under her mantle.  There is also great devotion to her through lighting candles near her to ask for intercession or as prayers of thanks.  

People Praying Under Her Mantle

On Sunday La Virgen is turned to face the inside of the church and the people are able to go up to her to touch her to ask for her intercession.  After Mass today I was able to join the long line of pilgrims and pray before her. 

I was thankful this morning for the Mass, even though it is all in Spanish and it proceeds with its distinctive Peruvian flavor- I was able to 'know' what was coming next...even if I fumbled over the Spanish responses.  

I am grateful to be here.  It is beautiful here.  The people are beautiful as well.  I look forward to beginning the first full day of 'works' with the community tomorrow.  

Paz y oraciones :)

Caitlin