As we reach 65, 70… years of age. Amador testimonial

The course is organized by the Jesuits and held in Manresa, Spain. And it has a suggestive subtitle: “The art of approaching in creative ways the last stages of life.” It can be the beginning of a creative period in our lives, one filled with generous service opportunities. And —above all— it can be a time of denseness that teaches us to fully accept the mystery of the God of Life. It is a stage that can be neither improvised nor lived defensively. During the first week of the course, we did a reading of our own autobiography with the melody of our personal trajectory on the background. It was done in the light of the Autobiography of Saint Ignatius and at the very place where his inner transformation took place. What a rich variety of experiences flowed from the life stories of each participant! The room we were in became a virtual globe filled with red dots illuminating from all continents.

 

There were residents of Argentina and Uruguay, then up through Peru to the highest point on the Andes mountain range in Bolivia, and from there crossing the Panama Canal to reach beautiful Mexico and end up by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea in the Dominican Republic. And following the route opposite to the sun we arrived in Africa —that heart shaped continent— where some of those present have worked. Several of them have lived in the center regions where diamonds and coltan turn into weapons that fuel the struggles between the natives who end up leaving the fields open to traffickers and speculators. Yet most of the participants are from Europe, the cradle of so many births and hopes, and of so many failures and disappointments for those who are looking for El Dorado. Some are from Italy, others from England, yet others from Portugal, though most are from Spain. And they are from different religious congregations: Company of Mary, Jesuitinas (Daughters of Jesus), Sacred Heart, JesusMary, Our Lady of Africa, Vedrunas (Carmelite Sisters of Charity), Salesians, Jesuits, Claretians, Marists, Priests, Lay people — a total of twenty-nine.

 

After this kickoff, delving into the individualized Spiritual Exercises was a soft and deep immersion in the cave of our interior. Here the course objective reached its summit. What an atmosphere and environment of spirituality we experienced in those eight days! The director and the team of companions —from the Jesuits in Manresa— were available at all times and constituted an invaluable contribution. These exercises have been a return to Love First — a reunion after so many years, the dream of God. We are in the same “company,” albeit in different jobs. We no longer focus on the results as much as on being comfortable and feeling happy with what we do. Substitutions bring new approaches and methods that we find hard to keep up with. We do not want to retire. The only thing we ask from retirement is to do what we like and know best, but in a quieter way, with more peace, more depth and more joy. We hope to be more creative in this new stage of life. We will do like the sun, that rises and sets every day knowing that the world changes its color below.

 

 What can we expect at our age? Humanly, little. But from the depths of our being we cling to life. We do not want anything from our work to be lost. Let the family and friends continue it. We have chosen Jesus as a model. With him we have walked together. We have shared so many projects, so many hopes together, that we can’t live without each other. “You are a Sky” — Jesus, You are my heaven. The gratuity of Love First provokes in us the motivation to continue giving out the gifts that we received for free. Volunteering is for us that prophecy of gratuity that allows us to realize ourselves simultaneously as Christians and as citizens.

 

In this brief summary, no names have been disclosed by any of the instructors. With both professionalism and closeness, they have made this course a school of learning and life in this emblematic place of Ignatian spirituality. This Jesuit house is in a privileged location, with Montserrat in the background and the Cardener river at its feet. But much more important than the building has been the reception and the availability of the entire Jesuit community of Manresa who has welcomed us as members of their family and has participated and shared with us in all the activities of the course.

 

The trip has already begun. Let’s look to the sides and walk together.