Hoy día, la vida es caótica y atemorizante para muchas personas. Teresa Donan, directora del Ministerio Hispano en el Centro de Retiros Pasionista Cristo Rey, en Citrus Heights, California, quiere que el centro de Cristo Rey sea un faro de esperanza.
La esperanza estimula su ministerio y su existencia. “Oramos, confiamos, esperamos, tenemos paciencia y construimos puentes. De lo contrario, la esperanza queda siendo solamente una palabra vacía. Jesús nos enseñó esperanza caminando con la gente, estando presente entre ellos. Eso es lo que tratamos de hacer aquí.”
Teresa y el equipo del centro de retiros perciben una merma de esperanza en su comunidad, especialmente entre los hispanos y latinos, debido a los muchos cambios en las políticas de Estados Unidos y al aumento de la presencia de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE). Ser un faro de esperanza es la base del trabajo que realizan en el centro.
“Creo que tenemos una responsabilidad por la comunidad. Creemos que Dios es fiel a sus promesas”, explica Teresa. “Necesitamos repetir esta verdad a la gente, especialmente en este contexto. Ser latina y vivir en este país resulta peligroso. La gente teme salir de sus casas.
Tienen muchos temores; nosotros nos preocupamos por ellos y simplemente caminamos a su lado. No hemos tomado el camino fácil, porque ese no es el camino pasionista. Nos mantenemos fieles a Dios y a ellos. Queremos ser una luz en este tiempo tan oscuro.”
Ofrecemos una variedad de programas para alentar a personas cansadas y temerosas. El centro de retiros ha comenzado a ofrecer más programas en español en vivo y también en línea.
El segundo lunes de cada mes es el “Lunes Pasionista”. Se invita a las personas a participar aquí o de manera virtual.
El programa de lunes incluye rezar el vía crucis por todos los inmigrantes. “Pensé que al comenzar el vía crucis los que asistían en línea se irían, pero no, se quedaron”, comparte Teresa. “Lloraban y estaban profundamente conmovidos. Un vía crucis puede parecer algo pequeño o insignificante, pero la oración nos da esperanza. Fue un momento especial de gracia al que pudieron aferrarse.”
El primer retiro ofrecido en español se enfocó en lo que la gente más necesitaba. “Estamos llamados a vivir de manera distinta, incluso en tiempos desafiantes”, dice Teresa. “El retiro les dio tiempo para descansar y escuchar la voz de Dios que los llamaba a tomar su propia dirección. También nos permitió acompañarlos y crear un espacio donde pudieron encontrarse a sí mismos y recibir la fortaleza que buscaban.”
Algo que resuena profundamente en el ministerio hispano es el respeto que la Congregación Pasionista tiene por el sufrimiento.
Teresa cree que todos experimentamos el sufrimiento. Nuestro propio dolor nos ayuda a reconocer el dolor de los demás y a crear empatía. “No nos lamentamos de nosotros mismos. Más bien nos preguntamos: ‘¿Qué podemos cambiar? ¿Cómo podemos mejorar la vida de los demás?’ Ese es el don que ofrecemos: una manera de sobrevivir con esperanza y alegría.”
La esperanza de Teresa se alimenta gracias a las personas especiales de su vida. “Creo que tengo un sistema de apoyo muy bueno. Tengo a Dios, a mi esposo, a mi familia y a mi director espiritual. Los padres Joe Moons, C.P., y Phillip Donlan, C.P.; y los que mi rodean en el centro de retiros son personas increíbles. Son almas realmente maravillosas.”
La oración centra a Teresa y le da fuerzas para mantener su actitud de esperanza. “Tengo un buen sistema de apoyo, pero también debo hacer mi parte. Necesito cuidar de mí misma”, dice. “No me resulta fácil soltar las cosas. Es difícil, pero trato de madurar y mantener mi relación con Dios a través de la oración.”
La esperanza es la luz que ilumina su camino personal y su trabajo con los demás. “Podemos hacer más: construir más puentes”, explica Teresa. “Tenemos que alzar nuestras voces; tenemos que manifestar nuestra presencia; tenemos que preocuparnos por todos. Esto es lo que significa vivir con esperanza.”
La entera entrevista en inglés
Question: Do you see hope as an active state or a prayerful one or both? Is it a call to action or quiet meditation?
Teresa: It is a call to action, sustained by prayer. Prayer without action can be naive, as if praying alone will make everything okay. Pope Francis says that we pray, trust, hope and wait, and we also build the bridge we must walk. Otherwise hope becomes empty words or a short sign. Jesus is our model of hope. He walked with people, he was present, he listened, he did what he was sent to do. Many Christians, and many others, keep hope alive in communities and countries. Hope moves us to act.
Why We Need Hope
We have a responsibility to our community because God is faithful to his promise. Everything else may fail, God remains faithful. I do not fully understand how, but I know I will not be played by God. He is faithful. We need to bring that faithfulness to people, especially now. As a Hispanic Latina in this country, this time is dangerous for us. We must stay close to those who suffer, many of whom fear stepping outside. They need to see that we care, that we are present, that we are listening, that we are praying and walking with them. The Passionist way is not the easy way of saying, I am going to be praying for you. We pray, and we are here. What can we do for you.
Safe Spaces for a Fearful Time
Monday through Friday we pray the Stations of the Cross for immigrants on a virtual call. People can join with cameras off and names changed. Many weep during the same prayer repeated daily because it gives real hope. We also leave time for people to share fears. It is a safe place, a community you can trust.
On the second Monday we host Passionist Monday. We invite people to adore the Blessed Sacrament, and priests hear confessions in Spanish. To protect privacy, we pray the Stations during confessions. Many attend in person and online. Afterward we celebrate Mass. I thought the online group would leave, they stayed and responded as if they were present. Anxiety in the neighborhood was high due to immigration enforcement. Prayer brought grace, then fellowship brought relief and belonging. Our priests were present, listening, talking, even laughing. People felt seen and safe.
Retreat Center Initiatives
At first I planned a full year of events. Father Joe wisely says, choose a few that best serve the community. Now we plan three to four months ahead because needs change quickly. Many participants are women, so we lift up strong women of faith to help them find strength and hope. This weekend we will host our first Spanish retreat, The Cross in Everyday Life, on finding hope, understanding suffering and letting God transform it. Christians are called to live differently, even in hard times. We create space to pray, rest and listen for God’s voice, then accompany people with simple points for the journey. Attendance looks strong, which makes me feel a holy urgency to serve well because people are spending scarce time and money to seek hope.
Listening First, Serving Next
I constantly ask, what does your community need, how can we help. People trust the Passionist community and this center. Our call is to be with them. That is where hope begins.
Team, Spirit and Joy
For Hispanic ministry, Father Philip and I lead, and a diocesan seminarian is joining us. He worries for the people and is eager to help. As Passionists, the cross is written on our hearts. We do not see ourselves apart from suffering, yet we live with joy. We do not stay in self pity. We ask what we can change and how we can make other lives better. That is part of who we are.
Spiritual Indifference, Holy Freedom
In our tradition we speak of spiritual indifference. It does not mean we do not care. It means joy and suffering are both part of the path. Health and illness, life and death, none of these makes me a better or worse person. What matters is how I live this stage with God. Everything is in God’s hands. I will honor his presence and will, and continue my journey.
What Nurtures My Hope
God, my husband, my family, my friends, my spiritual director and many generous coworkers lift me up. The community’s courage also strengthens me. Knowing what they face, yet seeing their kindness and joy, leaves me no excuse to lose heart. Father Joe, Father Philip and the office staff are genuine, amazing people. Being surrounded by goodness keeps my spirit steady.
Staying Hopeful While Carrying Others
I must do my part. I pray daily. My commute is over an hour, which I use for prayer. At night I make an examen. I practice centering prayer to cool my spirit and avoid overwhelm. Some days are very hard. When someone calls with tragedy, I carry it and often lose my appetite because they cannot find peace. I return to prayer, to confession and to the Eucharist. This is ministry, not a job. I must be well fed by the sacraments to serve with a pure intention. People who suffer are where the heart of God resides. I want to give them my best.
A Pilgrim of Hope Without Going to Rome
Yes, we can be pilgrims of hope without Rome. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place with preparation and intention. Many sacred places are near us, hospitals, shelters, our homes and prayer corners, our workplace made holy because Christ is with us. Families can plan small pilgrimages at home with a map of stations, prayers and simple acts. Preparation may take time, the walk may take minutes. The point is intention and creativity.
Supplies for the Pilgrimage
Make a simple plan. Pray. Choose sacrifices and penance with joy and intention. Keep a good faith, a good attitude and a good heart. Ask, what is my purpose for this pilgrimage, how will it help me encounter the Lord.
How God Has Nurtured Hope and Trust
I have faced illness three times with cancer. This month is my last month of medication. I am grateful. God’s grace kept me from fear. I will die someday, like everyone. When the diagnoses came, I told my husband, what is the worst that can happen, the most normal thing. Instead of anxiety, I kept serving. My oncologist urged therapy, I welcomed conversations but I was not down. I trust that God cares for me and my family. I try to live simply, without complications.
During my second treatment I learned I was pregnant. Doctors warned of complications. After many tests, we chose to continue. Our daughter is now a nurse and a gift. I see her as God’s tender answer after a hard season.
People and Movements That Deepened My Hope
I participated in a meeting of the popular movements encouraged by Pope Francis when he was in Argentina. Seeing people transform communities with few opportunities showed me how much can change when hope is focused and organized. We must build bridges, lift erased voices and seek partners who can help us serve. When our provincial letter invited us to stand with vulnerable people in public, I knew we should not stay on the safe side. People need to see that we care for everyone, not one group, everyone.
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