An international gathering of SVD Lay Partners in Italy was an “inspirational and transformative” event for Helen Festejo, who represented the Australia Province.
“It was very enriching,” Helen said of the meeting which took place in Centro Ad Gentes, Nemi, outside of Rome, from mid-February to early March.
The meeting involved 40 SVD Lay Partners from 21 countries across four Zones, ASPAC, Europe, PANAM and AFRAM, meeting for the first time since the COVID pandemic.
Helen has been a member of the AUS Province’s Lay Partners group for six years but has had a close association with the Divine Word Missionaries in her home country of the Philippines, which goes back 30 years.
“I had no prior expectations of what this meeting would be like, but it was really marvellous,” she said.
The gathering involved formation in the Arnoldus charism, including sessions on The World Today and the Lay Partners, St Arnold Janssen and the SVD foundation, on Prophetic Dialogue, and on the Four Characteristic Dimensions.
“The representatives from each Province also had an opportunity to share about what we’re doing as Lay Partners and our challenges and hopes,” Helen said.
“I was asked to prepare a power-point about our group, which I presented.
“The sharing was very nice because you get to know what others are doing and take inspiration from that and think, well maybe we could do that in our context too, so it expanded our horizons in some ways.
“Since I returned, I keep telling people that I’ve known the SVD for a long time and I’ve always loved them, but I love the Society even more now! I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this journey and to establish connection with fellow Lay Partners.”
Helen said some of the ideas raised during the gathering could be employed in the local context, including beginning other Lay Groups in SVD parishes throughout the Province and launching a campaign to invite more people to join.
“We also need to finish our formation manual, which is in progress,” she said.
“And we can look at ways of increasing our collaboration with SVD activities in all areas. We already collaborate in the Biblical Apostolate and Mission Animation, but we have been talking about ways we might collaborate in Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, and of course, continuing to grow in SVD spirituality is a very important aspect.”
Helen said that during the gathering, the group enjoyed pilgrimages to Assisi and to the Roman catacombs and Basilicas. They also enjoyed lunch at the SVD Generalate with the Superior-General, Fr Budi Kleden SVD and other confreres. The group also had the opportunity to be part of the Papal Audience which she said was an incredible blessing.
After the gathering Helen visited the Mission House in Vicenza in North Italy and had the opportunity to visit the birthplace and shrine of St Joseph Freinademetz SVD in Oies Northern Italy. She also spent some time with the SVD mission there observing their ministry in migrant chaplaincy.
“The whole experience was grace filled and a very inspiring time,” Helen said. “I am looking forward to sharing more about it with our group and the SVD members.
“Ours is only a small group here in this Province, so being amongst Lay Partners from other Provinces, and learning from them, was a great opportunity and will help us in our growth and development.”
PHOTOS
TOP RIGHT: Helen Festejo represents the Lay Partners from the SVD Australia Province at the gathering in Nemi.
MIDDLE LEFT: Lay Partners from across the four SVD Zones attended the meeting.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Helen is pictured with the SVD Superior-General Fr Budi Kleden SVD.