V INTER-TRINITARIAN ASSEMBLY “AVILA 2011” Message of COPEFAT to the Trinitarian Family at the closing of To our brothers and sisters of the Trinitarian Family throughout the world. From 22 to 25 August in the city of Avila we celebrated the V Inter-Trinitarian Assembly which we close today, 26 August, near the relics of our Holy Father St. John of Matha. We lived a very satisfying and unforgettable experience as a family in which we were able to appreciate the differences that enrich us and the essential unity among us. Looking at our history of the last twenty-five years, we acknowledge that we have made important progress. Generally speaking, we think that our sense of belonging to the Family has increased in every sphere: the laity feels more highly thought of, the relations among the various members are more Trinitarian, our common projects continue to increase, and the organisms created to spur our sense of family are alive… We submit to you a few proposals from the Assembly that left a lasting impression upon COPEFAT: 1. Review our structures: We cannot copy the pyramids of the world; rather, we must live in the paradigm of the Trinity. As Trinitarians we must give an impulse to our joint responsibilities in all our structures, relations, and ministries, by declaring explicitly the richness and the commonality of our differences, such as the equality essential to our vocation. We must continue to develop the concept of family by incorporating into our life and relations a new direction and a new language, taking into account a fresh and pure air, which bears the newness of younger generations. “Rooted in Christ, we grow as a Family” means that Christ is at the center; and all of us: men and women religious, contemplative nuns, the laity, the young and not so young, are firmly united to Him, and in Him united amongst ourselves. Concrete challenges that we consider important along these lines are: We believe that the role of the laity, particularly of women, is important in all our decision making bodies. We heard in our Assembly the cry of the women and of the lay members: we do not need ideas to follow, but we need to think together. We need to recover a language of equality that is inclusive (it is not the Order nor the Family, but the Trinitarian Family that unites us all). Also, we need to recover a feminine language that declares the communion, the essential equality, and the unique dignity of the person: all daughters and sons of the same family. In order to reach such a goal it is necessary to cultivate our interior life and strengthen com-munities. Interior, personal, and community life. We must cultivate silence, solitude, and encounter perpetually the Mystery of God that dwells within us. It is from the life in the Spirit that we can experience the joy of communion and family. If there is no personal experience of God-Trinity, the consciousness of His presence in us and beyond us, there cannot be a true sense of family, and our mission will not likely be a Trinitarian one. The experience of the Spirit opens us to a universal communion: we experience the free love and the connection to all that exists. All that happens in the world concerns us; we cannot remain outside of the realities in which our brothers and sisters live regardless of who they are. Strengthening Community. Beginning with the particular, concrete, and ordinary community which is built day by day: Being a Trinitarian Community means living a mercy without limits, fighting for justice with tenderness, and experiencing the joy of life in its fullness; however, it is also about living it both internally and externally (not only in our mission, but in our lives and in our relations as well). We need to begin from and amongst ourselves: in our small communities and groups, in our institutes, provinces, federations, delegations or vicariates. From the experience of a Trinitarian life lived in our particular realities, we can grow as a Family, extending it beyond our borders. 3. Shared mission: Beyond doing things together. We recognize the value of the things that we carry out as a family. We believe, however, that besides planning new things as a family, we can put together what we already have: sharing works, participating in what we are already doing, helping and supporting one another. Creativity arises easily when we share without limits. We possess a great richness to face the future, but it will be a source of a greater richness if we share and communicate it. Supporting and promoting as a family the projects that we now have. They are enough and we must attend to them. We emphasize the SIT for the appeals justly made at the Assembly. It is a characteristic project of our Trinitarian mission and of great interest. Summoned by the cries of so many persecuted people, we must resume our joint participation in this organization. New realities that call our attention. We are aware of, saddened, and worried by the many realities of poverty and slavery. Today, the situation in Ethiopia and in Somalia, where so many people constantly starve to death, is a scandal for the whole of humanity and a cause for sorrow for the Trinitarian family. The plight of the poor who are close to us and the fact of not being able to provide a solution because of our bureaucracy, schedules, identity, and conditions, also urge us. How do we regain the efficacy of our charism everywhere? We have many ac-tions, concrete works, and projects that we are promoting that give glory to God because they are giving life to so many people. Nevertheless, we cannot remain silent so many times and only say to our suffering brothers and sisters: “I cannot help you”. 4. Proposals deemed interesting and feasible that we wish to promote: Formation at two levels: The possibility of a common Trinitarian formation and the necessity of formation in what it means to be family in each of our realities. It is very important to work on processes. Vocation Ministry: The promotion of our Trinitarian charism not our institutions or private works should be a priority. The experiences of joint ministry should be furthered and encouraged. Communication: Information must be circulated, as it is an important means for communion. A Trinitarian family web page could be a possibility, not only to make us known outside, but also inside: for formation, for sharing resources, etc. Exchanges of experiences of life and mission: It is not collaboration or creating timely experiences that will enrich us, but rather, it is about promoting participation in the same charism. The existential projects of our communities surpass by far the activities that we carry out. 5. What identifies us as Trinitarians? We speak from many perspectives, all valid, even though we emphasize or highlight different elements. We live in various and different situations (societies, cultures, history of each institution, etc.). We also have different charisms. However, we have a unique mission: that the definitive liberation of God-Trinity, (God-Love, and God-Family) who does not exclude anyone, pene-trates every reality in which we live and in all manners. We believe that all of us have the experience of what it means to be a free Trinitarian Family CONCLUSION Together we build communion. Together we grow as a family. It is good for us to continue along the same lines and carry on building and planning. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that our journey as a family is the fruit of the Spirit. It is very important for us to consider that in our projects, shared and supported by and within the family, there should be a marvelous expression of the will of God. So, together we are grateful to God, we thank Him and praise Him. We know that we are not alone, not only because we are many and we grow in Commu-nion, but because He walks before us on this journey. God-Trinity breaks down barriers and walls; wherever He passes His love flows forth; He pours forth His very self and generates new life… The Spirit makes all things new, and creates anew. In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, receive our fraternal and cordial embrace. Signed in the city of Salamanca, 26 August 2011. Benedicte Marie Lecaillón Mª Asunción Gavilán
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