They came from near and far: olive trees, vines, fields of poppies and small drops of rain adorning the windshield... Already on the Princess bus, hugs and reunion with the sisters, memories for the youngest of their old communities in Spain, joy and, finally, we are all, (44 religious) and, each one in her place. The journey can begin.
DESTINATION: VALLADOLID
Rosa Chao, had thought of everything, the environment collaborates and everything helps the praise to pray lauds. It is the first Saturday of the month of May (the 2nd) and, although in a very discreet and simple way, Mary is present and accompanies us.
Visit to the National Museum of Sculpture of Valladolid
Our first stop took us to the Colegio de San Gregorio, headquarters of the National Museum of Sculpture. In this space, art becomes an extension of prayer and laud praise. The journey through the art of the different masters of the golden age of Spanish sculpture was not only a lesson in art history, but an exercise in contemplation: each gesture of the figures, each fold of the clothing, speaks of a living faith and manages to transmit the humanity of the divine.
Since a picture speaks louder than 100 words, we let this part be completed with the photographs that were taken thanks to the service and kindness of M. Margarita Frías.
After the visit, a “downpour” scares us and since there is a plan B in mind, we head to the Mercedarias school, thanks to the kindness of our sister Inés Rojo who has a religious sister in it.
It seems that we are hungry despite everything we have shared and the sisters from Indonesia in a “seen and unseen” have prepared tables and chairs for us. The sharing continues and we are ready to take a walk to the center because in another “pis pa” the place has been tidied up.
The coffee or the walk along the river bank add another very pleasant moment of encounter.
In the Heart of La Trapa: Prayer and Simplicity
From Valladolid we head towards the Cistercian Abbey of San Isidro de Dueñas, conocida cariñosamente como "La Trapa". Aquí, el ritmo del mundo se detuvo para dar paso al compás del Ora and Labora.
Before the tomb of Brother Rafael
One of the most intimate and moving moments was the prayer at the tomb of San Rafael Arnaiz Barón. In the silence of his chapel, we ask for his intercession so that, like him, we know how to find God in everyday life and in the joyful acceptance of His Will. Her life, marked by humility and absolute love for the Cross, resonated strongly in our consecrated hearts.
The Vespers Prayer
We join the monastic community for the prayer of Vespers. The plainchant filling the nave of the church reminded us of the importance of communal praise in our communities. It was a moment of ecclesial communion raising a single prayer for the needs of the world and our own communities. It's a shame that we couldn't be there until the end, as the driver required it to meet his schedule.
The Return: Fraternity and Chocolate
But we had not forgotten the famous chocolate. We didn't want this journey to end just with us. Following the tradition of Trappist hospitality, we stopped by the monastery store to purchase it and take it to the sisters who had remained at home.
This detail is not just a sweet, but a symbol of our fraternity: a little piece of the peace and well-being enjoyed on the journey that we joyfully take to the sisters who, for health or service, remained in their communities. It is our way of telling you that you have been present in prayer and praise every step of this path.
May the beauty contemplated and the silence shared on this journey continue to bear fruit in our daily lives. That, by contemplating, we learn to love.
January 26, 2022
January 26, 2022