Mission in Colombia. Caribean coast of Coveñas + Pictures
It has been exactly a year since I came to visit two little villages by the names of La Parrilla and Pijaito. These two villages are populated mainly by african-colombians; people of very humble upbringing and with very little economical resources. I am talking about a very simple and humble community where peace and love among the people is not strange to see. Due to the long absence of the Catholic church in the area, the Protestant sects have made an impact on many of them. Curiously enough, even though they lended their ears to some of these preachers, most of which are extremely agressive against the Catholic faith, they, in their hearts remain very Catholic. How did I find this out?
The first visit was an invitation by a lady whose family owns property in the vicinity. Some of these people have been workers for her family for many years.
Acting upon an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this lady friend invited me and the parish priest from the nearest church at San Antero, just 15 or 20 minutes away from these villages, to come with her to provide a Sunday activity at her house by the sea shore. She expected to have her own workers and those of her family join a mass service. She invited them to listen to my testimony, hoping that those living in common law would be willing to get married, those not baptized to do so, those willing to receive first communion, to receive it. When the time came to reunite at her house, we found out that many more people joined from the neighboring areas, and we had a very blessed evening where many got married, baptized and received first communion.
That beautiful docility of hearts deeply touched the heart of my lady friend and that of the priest, as well as mine. Inmediately she proposed to her workers the idea of building a church right in their village. Their own church. Their eyes opened wide with joy. The plan was set right there without a second thought. she was to provide the finances and they would provide the labor. Everyone agreed. It took one year and many trips and opposition by some regarding the materials with which the roof was to be built. Her idea was to build a church that would not be any different than their own homes. A rectangular building with a straw roof. This was exactly how it ended up being built.
On December the 8th of this year, following a procession through the town with our Lady's statute while praying the rosary, the church was inagurated by two Legionary of Christ missionary priests.
During the course of the year she had contacted the Legionaries of Christ missionaries and asked them to join her with a visit to Coveñas.
They visited the area a few times during the year and set up a very well programmed family missionary visit. Thirty-six families came with the two priests to mission door to door throughout the two villages.
The results of five days of missioning were so amazing that it was hard to retain the tears of joy that wanted to pour out of everyone's eyes. All our hearts where bursting with joy. Many, many got married, baptized and received first communion, this time the numbers tripled. We were able to distribute Christmas gifts to more than 400 children as well as offer great recreation. We had a medical brigade with a team of doctors. Unfortunately, the benefactors of the medications didn't make it this time with their donations, but more than 500 people recieved medical attention.
The church and the people couldn't possibly look any better, it was a true piece of heaven. I was able to provide the liturgical vestment and altar vessels that were donated by a good benefactor in San Francisco, California and also more than a thousand rosaries donated in Canada and the USA. It was a joy to see people that a few days earlier were afraid of going to confession or praying the rosary, because of the errors taught by the protestants. Some were praying the rosary again and going to confession and to communion for the first time in 60 years.
I consider this mission a true get together of the church. We can truly make a difference if we all work together. We can rescue many brothers and sisters from the hands of the Christian sects and from the hands of witchcraft and superstition and so many other dangers.
May the Lord bless all of the benefactors that made it possible for this mission to take place. The Lord Jesus will provide each one of you with a thousand fold.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE MISSION IN COLOMBIA
The first visit was an invitation by a lady whose family owns property in the vicinity. Some of these people have been workers for her family for many years.
Acting upon an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this lady friend invited me and the parish priest from the nearest church at San Antero, just 15 or 20 minutes away from these villages, to come with her to provide a Sunday activity at her house by the sea shore. She expected to have her own workers and those of her family join a mass service. She invited them to listen to my testimony, hoping that those living in common law would be willing to get married, those not baptized to do so, those willing to receive first communion, to receive it. When the time came to reunite at her house, we found out that many more people joined from the neighboring areas, and we had a very blessed evening where many got married, baptized and received first communion.
That beautiful docility of hearts deeply touched the heart of my lady friend and that of the priest, as well as mine. Inmediately she proposed to her workers the idea of building a church right in their village. Their own church. Their eyes opened wide with joy. The plan was set right there without a second thought. she was to provide the finances and they would provide the labor. Everyone agreed. It took one year and many trips and opposition by some regarding the materials with which the roof was to be built. Her idea was to build a church that would not be any different than their own homes. A rectangular building with a straw roof. This was exactly how it ended up being built.
On December the 8th of this year, following a procession through the town with our Lady's statute while praying the rosary, the church was inagurated by two Legionary of Christ missionary priests.
During the course of the year she had contacted the Legionaries of Christ missionaries and asked them to join her with a visit to Coveñas.
They visited the area a few times during the year and set up a very well programmed family missionary visit. Thirty-six families came with the two priests to mission door to door throughout the two villages.
The results of five days of missioning were so amazing that it was hard to retain the tears of joy that wanted to pour out of everyone's eyes. All our hearts where bursting with joy. Many, many got married, baptized and received first communion, this time the numbers tripled. We were able to distribute Christmas gifts to more than 400 children as well as offer great recreation. We had a medical brigade with a team of doctors. Unfortunately, the benefactors of the medications didn't make it this time with their donations, but more than 500 people recieved medical attention.
The church and the people couldn't possibly look any better, it was a true piece of heaven. I was able to provide the liturgical vestment and altar vessels that were donated by a good benefactor in San Francisco, California and also more than a thousand rosaries donated in Canada and the USA. It was a joy to see people that a few days earlier were afraid of going to confession or praying the rosary, because of the errors taught by the protestants. Some were praying the rosary again and going to confession and to communion for the first time in 60 years.
I consider this mission a true get together of the church. We can truly make a difference if we all work together. We can rescue many brothers and sisters from the hands of the Christian sects and from the hands of witchcraft and superstition and so many other dangers.
May the Lord bless all of the benefactors that made it possible for this mission to take place. The Lord Jesus will provide each one of you with a thousand fold.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE MISSION IN COLOMBIA
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