Marie, a Sacred Heart volunteer from France, talks about her three months volunteering in Mexico.
At the beginning, I had very specific expectations: to be of service by discovering a new culture, to be able to put myself on the same level as others and be shaped by their way of looking at things, to discover apostolic life, daily.
When I arrived, I was unsettled to realize that you can’t plan for more than 3 hours ahead, and you don’t know what the next day will bring. It required letting go, but that was essential for me to be fully available for the mission. I felt great joy and peace when I discovered the sisters with whom I was to spend three months, who are amazingly joyful, vibrant and inspiring.
As far as daily life is concerned, I’ve basically found my joy in the encounters I’ve had along the way. I believe that each encounter was a learning experience for me: the children taught me to become a little being again, to let myself be guided without fear or mistrust; the sisters taught me the true and simple joy of a life given to God; the locals I met during Holy Week opened my eyes to true trust and hope in God, which is lived above all in the face of difficulties; the Mexicans in general touched me with their ability to welcome the unknown with gratitude and abundance without measure. The poorest people taught me that “the measure of love is to love without measure”.
I know that on several occasions I allowed myself to be touched and approached, which did me a world of good to be able to welcome my sensitivity with open arms. Holy Week, immersed in a poor village and welcomed by the locals, was very inspiring for me. I saw all those faces and eyes full of hope, faith, gratitude and prayer. I was reminded of all the sadness, joy and sorrow that they had shared with us. It was as if I was assured of God’s love for us, that we are all His children, on the same level.
Through the happy things, but also through the difficult things, I discovered that injustice is everywhere and that we can’t change everything. I thought I’d understood this before I left, but sadness and anger brought me back to this question. This reflection on God’s justice, which is not the same as Man’s, made me want to work in the social field so that I could make my own contribution, knowing that I can’t change the world or people. Prayer life with the sisters and their spirituality has also taught me about myself. In particular, the need for silence and reflection, which is difficult for me, but essential if I am to listen. I’ve learned to “pray with my body”, to put myself in a better position to pray, and I want to develop this further. God speaks to me through others, through the heart, but also through the body.
The people I’ve met, especially the sisters with whom I’ve really talked, have helped me to become aware of my fears. I want to be able to be truer to myself and grow to be more confident.
Experiencing this mission with the sisters has been a great opportunity. They were wonderfully kind, attentive and welcoming. There was a real sense of family, which also confirms the beautiful work of the Church around the world that brings us together. Since my return, I’ve come to realize just how rich the spiritual guidance I received within the community was. Having a woman who councils me has been particularly helpful.
This experience opened my eyes to many things and has been a springboard for my desire to be of service and involvement for the rest of my life.
Section |International News|RSCJ International Volunteers
Province |Belgium/France/Netherlands|Mexico
