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On August 27, Los Rodeos Airport in northern Santa Cruz de Tenerife saw the start of an influx of many Religious of the Assumption! The first among us to arrive were Asunción, Vénantie, and Alma. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Community was there to welcome us, along with Fali (an Assumption layperson). On the 11th, it was Angeles’ turn to be welcomed by both Communities and Begoña Rivero (another Assumption layperson). There were so many of us that we needed two cars! And finally, on the 15th, even though Gracy had not yet arrived, Rekha and Lola began the official inauguration rite. You can imagine our joy!
When we arrived at the Community in the La Alegría neighborhood, where we’re living for now, we all sang the Magnificat together. We shared snacks, prayed Vespers, and enjoyed a truly fraternal moment.
We are deeply grateful to the Santa Cruz Community for their warm, joyful, fraternal, and generous welcome to each one of us. From the very first moment, we felt at home as one family.
On the morning of the 16th, we had a Community meeting with Rekha and Lola. Rekha gave us a brief overview to remind us of the origins of this International Community initiative. Since 2012, there had already been talk of forming international Communities, and this vision became a reality at the 2024 General Chapter, responding to the request from the Province of Spain and the urgent migration situation in the Atlantic corridor.
As a Community, we belong to the Province of Spain, with a direct link to both the General Community and the whole Congregation. Sandra will be close by as the General Council representative, and Lola, together with her Council from the Province of Spain, will accompany us.
Rekha emphasized the prophetic witness of an intercultural Community living in harmony, as Religious of the Assumption. We have a period of time to discern our mission: to construct our Community, integrate internationality, and at the same time, begin to discern how to start our mission. For now, our priority is for the Sisters who don’t speak Spanish yet, to learn the language.
Besides other urgent needs related to migration, one possible focus is to respond to the needs of young migrants over 18, who find themselves vulnerable as they begin a new stage of life: many were cared for and protected as minors, but once they reach adulthood, they are left to fend for themselves on the streets.
It’s up to us to GO OUT, DRAW NEAR TO WHERE THE MIGRANTS ARE, LOOK, LISTEN, and SEEK SUPPORT from various sources, the Church and organizations already working in this area.
After our meeting with Rekha and Lola, both Communities shared a meal at the Assumption’s Alegría Center with Don Eloy Santiago, Bishop of Tenerife. It was a moment of fraternal and intimate exchange. Key persons from the Diocese and friends of the Assumption later joined us (diocesan delegates for migration, the priest responsible for the Good Samaritan, etc.). All of them are deeply committed Church persons, close to the Sisters, with a spark of humor that made the gathering truly heartwarming. Don Eloy, the Bishop, highlighted the prophetic nature of our mission, given our internationality, and expressed his strong desire for the Community to remain in the Diocese of Tenerife. Everyone expressed their gratitude for the Assumption’s decision to commit itself to this reality, which is so urgent for humanity. Their commitment was clear: to support and accompany our discernment to find the place and way, according to our charism and possibilities, to respond to the migration situation in the Canary Islands.
At the end of the Eucharist, Don Eloy blessed each one of us in our new mission and blessed the house that is hosting us for now.
We ended the day by sharing Assumption Tarts with everyone and expressing our joy and internationality with dances from each country. The people who joined us were delighted, because it was a free, fraternal moment of exchange and getting to know each other.
These have been moments full of hope and expectation for this new beginning. In the evening, we spoke on WhatsApp with Gracy, who had just arrived in Madrid. On the 18th, both Communities together with Begoña, had the joy of welcoming her at the airport. Thank God, our Community is now complete. We ask for your prayers and support so that our Community bonds may grow stronger. Let’s learn Spanish well so we may communicate with the people! And let’s discern, guided by the Spirit, on how and where to carry out our mission. Thank you so much.
Alma, Ángeles, Asunción, Gracy, Vénantie, and the Santa Cruz Community.