Hearts Catching Fire
Soon, I will be leaving on a seven week mission trip to Pucallpa, Peru traveling with a group of students from the university where I work in campus ministry. Our journey together began last October, as we studied geography, politics, sociology, peace, culture, collaboration, community, team work, etc. As we prepared for our trip, we shared our hopes and expectations, our fears and joys, our dreams and our lives. Already we have had lots of fun while also spending time in reflection and prayer.
Recently, we had our "send-off" Mass, where in the gospel we listened to Jesus asking the disciples"What are you discussing together as you walk along?" So we went to the streets, discussed with people we found on our way, and got to know them; we wanted to find out what their joys and hopes, their sorrows and anxieties were… Then we listened to our hearts, asking ourselves what is it that makes them burn within us. We found out it is Him, alive and walking among us, leading us on our way and journeying with us towards our experience in Pucallpa.
This past year working in campus ministry, I couldn't be more appreciative of the fact that I am a young sister among young people. During this new experience, my young age has made it easy for me to connect with them. To me, it is a great privilege to walk with them as they search for the spirituality that will give meaning to their lives. The fire is lit, as they discover that Jesus is a companion on their journey exploring who they are individually and with each other. Listening and talking with them, has been a rich experience for me. I share my experiences of working with the university students to the community of sisters that I live with. These stories fill all of us, young and old with new energy and hope.
I love having the opportunity of joining young, burning hearts in this journey as part of my religious life.
(Adriana Calzada Vazquez Vela is a temporary professed sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. She is from Mexico City and is currently ministering in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon at the Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM). She entered in 2007.)
