"The Church is humanity united." Despite being written more than a century ago, these words by José Gras become valid and current in the historical moment in which the People of God live.
Undoubtedly the XVI Assembly of the synod marks a turning point for Catholics around the world. Therefore, with the desire to deepen and learn more about the Church, between November 10 and 12, several dozen adults from the Christ the King Apostolic Movement in Spain met at the “Morciguillinas” mountain inn in Cortijos Nuevos (Jaén). An opportunity to revive our own identity that defines us as "active members of the Church with a strong apostolic dynamism."
On Friday, after the joy of hugging each other again, we had dinner in brotherhood, sharing life. Next we begin to familiarize ourselves with some terms such as Lumen Gentium, John XXIII, Vatican II... concepts that we discover while we laugh and play a fun dynamic called "Ecclesiological Guess up." We end the day in the presence of Him who calls us to follow Him, making the words of the psalmist resonate in our hearts "give thanks to the Lord for he is good."
We begin the day on Saturday united with the prayer of the Church, the lauds. We quickly review the history of the Church, from Pentecost to the Second Vatican Council, emphasizing the most notable events and people: Councils of Nicaea and Trent; Saint Benedict of Nursia and the rise of monasticism; the counter-reformation and the Jesuits... so on until 1962, the year in which the Second Vatican Council began. We contextualize ourselves, differentiating the types of magisterial documents as a prelude to the great conciliar documents. From there, we began to delve deeper into the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium. Through images we discover the mystery of the Church: flock, plow, building, heavenly Jerusalem... Later, in a moment of desert we read and pray the second chapter of Lumen Gentium and then fraternally share impressions, thoughts and ideas.
The afternoon begins remembering the Church in the thoughts of Venerable José Gras. We discover the third chapter of Lumen Gentium, the hierarchy of the People of God and how we organize ourselves in Spain. The most special moment of the day is with Him because "only in the worship of God can we find temporal and eternal happiness." At night, in a different climate, we continued working on the dogmatic constitution on the Church, specifically the fifth chapter referring to holiness, celebrating the feast of the blessed in a festive and relaxed atmosphere.
We conclude the day with the words of Saint Paul “we always give thanks to God.”
On Sunday, after joining the Church through lauds. We ask ourselves: And this synod... what is it about?: etymology, history, canon law... brushstrokes with general ideas move on to the particular: the XVI Assembly: communion, participation and mission. Next, we share the Eucharist “Sacrament of the Sacraments” with the parish community of Cortijos Nuevos that welcomes us. Back at home, Eva Fernández, Coordinator of the International Forum of Catholic Action, shares her testimony as a participant in the synodality synod. His words are an incentive and hope for the future of our Church.
Throughout the remaining pastoral course “With You”, Builders and Communities of the Kingdom we will continue to delve deeper into ecclesiology. Reading, praying and reflecting on the other chapters of Lumen Gentium simultaneously at the local level.
