Segovia, Spain. Saturday, November 26, 2011, was a very notable day for the community of Segovia. Four days before they completed 150 years since the foundation of this house-mission (November 22, 1861), which was directly influenced by Fr. Claret.
This festive encounter, in which all the Claretians who had previously been assigned there for their years of formation, were joined with the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese, Don Ángel Rubio, who was accompanied by the Claretians: Mons. Luis Gutiérrez Martín, bishop emeritus of Segovia, Fr. Gonzalo Fernández Sanz, General Prefect of Spirituality, Fr. Manuel Tamargo, Provincial of Santiago, Fathers Luis Ángel de las Heras and Ángel, from the Provincial Government, and others who had come from various parts of Spain. Also present were a good number of priests from the capital and religious men and women, who were there for the Advent Retreat, and wished to join in the thanksgiving mass, as well as parishioners from the parish of The Savior, various professors from the School, and a number of catechists, friends, and supporters of the Claretians.
Before the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Don Ángel Rubio, was a reception for the attendees, who enjoyed coffee in the dining room of the school.
Afterwards, in the auditorium, Fr. Antonio Bellella, CMF enlightened the audience with a talk about what has been accomplished in this century and a half. Under the title “Many faces, many tasks. One single mission”.
A simple projection, in rapid literary brushstrokes and with abundant photos, completed the wonderful conference of Fr. Bellella, doing so to remember the many missionaries, their tasks, achievements and projects, which for 150 years have been leaving their Claretian missionary mark on this beautiful city and Castilian province.
The meeting also allowed time for the presentation of the painstaking work made by Father Francisco González Trouser, CMF, who has reedited and delicately expanded the “Centennnial Memory” of the House of Segovia” developed in 1961 by Father Conrado Oquillas, incorporating into its content the many events that happened in the next forty years, giving rise to a volume of 800 pages, with more than 175 of good photographs and reproductions.
The day ended with a fraternal meal in which the Claretians of the current and past community, Claretians who forged their vocation at this School, bishops and priests, other friends, etc. shared memories, names, and missionary enthusiasm. (Photos)
