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