Misión San Agustín
Cuanacaxtitlán
18 - 12 - 2000
My dearest friends,
By now a month has gone by since my return to Mexico, where I came back after my holidays in Italy, taking my work again, among the mizteca people. They aren't usually very effusive, but welcomed me, all the same, with a big hug.
They asked me the usual questions: Did you enjoy seeing your country? Is it far from us? How is life there? What are the people like? Did you see the Pope? And, as a token of their affection, there have been presents: some bananas and a couple of traditional hand-made small table-cloths. They are very poor, but their generosity is quite amazing! This morning, for instance, when it was still dark, I received with great pleasure the visit of a lady I helped years ago. The radio had apprised her that today's saint is Saint Graziano and therefore she brought me a bunch of flowers to celebrate my saint's day. Just consider I had forgotten all about it and that lady, on the other hand...
After some days of "adjustment" I've found myself swamped with lots of tasks. Father Massimo and I have taken stock of the situation and made some plans for the future. I must confess that in front of these populations' social and religious reality, their wants and our pastoral chores are so numerous and all so urgent that it's difficult for us to decide on their priority. However, little by little, we'll do what we can.
At the moment, the two biggest villages, Cuana and Yolo, are full of excitement for the preparations of the Bishop's pastoral visit. He'll arrive on December 21st and will stay for a couple of days. Christmas is getting nearer, too, and, like everywhere in Mexico, here they're preparing for the celebration of the "Posadas": a popular theatre going on for 9 days. They live through Mary and Saint Joseph experiences again at Bethlehem, while knocking at everybody's door, looking for lodging. In the streets and in the houses, there aren't any outward Christmas signs. No lights, no hangings, no Christmas tree or presents etc. Life goes on as ever and at Christmas there will be neither Santa Claus nor The Holy Child to fill with joy, thanks to their presents the children's hearts. I feel, nothwistanding, that this is the true Christmas, because, as 2000 years ago, Jesus will be born here poor, among the poorest, without the great and powerful men's knowledge. We must remember furthermore that the sheperds, as poverty-stricken as these ethnic groups, were the first people receiving the Good News of The Saviour's birth: The Saviour, that is "God with us". I ask God that, thanks also to our presence, the joyful annoncement of that bright night might reecho among the local inhabitants.
At the beginning of this letter, I but wanted to thank you for all you've done and are doing for us and to give you my best Christmas wishes, but I let myself got carried away by my great happiness in being here. That's why I've drifted, recounting everyday occurences and that might have bothered you. I apologize. Let me change the subject and give you our thanks and, more importantly, the gratefulness of these people. THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of our heart. During the two months spent in Italy I've perceived the quality of your generosity, as well as your regard and love for the missions. Often and in several places I've launched the project "Adoptions from far away" and received many adhesions. I hope you'll continue sustaining those children's education.
Let me seal this letter up, sending to you my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I trust that the light Jesus turned on with his birth 2000 years ago will always illuminate your path. May He fill it with His peace.
A brotherly embrace and a mutual recollection in our prayers.
father Graziano
back
Cuanacaxtitlán
18 - 12 - 2000
My dearest friends,
By now a month has gone by since my return to Mexico, where I came back after my holidays in Italy, taking my work again, among the mizteca people. They aren't usually very effusive, but welcomed me, all the same, with a big hug.
They asked me the usual questions: Did you enjoy seeing your country? Is it far from us? How is life there? What are the people like? Did you see the Pope? And, as a token of their affection, there have been presents: some bananas and a couple of traditional hand-made small table-cloths. They are very poor, but their generosity is quite amazing! This morning, for instance, when it was still dark, I received with great pleasure the visit of a lady I helped years ago. The radio had apprised her that today's saint is Saint Graziano and therefore she brought me a bunch of flowers to celebrate my saint's day. Just consider I had forgotten all about it and that lady, on the other hand...
After some days of "adjustment" I've found myself swamped with lots of tasks. Father Massimo and I have taken stock of the situation and made some plans for the future. I must confess that in front of these populations' social and religious reality, their wants and our pastoral chores are so numerous and all so urgent that it's difficult for us to decide on their priority. However, little by little, we'll do what we can.
At the moment, the two biggest villages, Cuana and Yolo, are full of excitement for the preparations of the Bishop's pastoral visit. He'll arrive on December 21st and will stay for a couple of days. Christmas is getting nearer, too, and, like everywhere in Mexico, here they're preparing for the celebration of the "Posadas": a popular theatre going on for 9 days. They live through Mary and Saint Joseph experiences again at Bethlehem, while knocking at everybody's door, looking for lodging. In the streets and in the houses, there aren't any outward Christmas signs. No lights, no hangings, no Christmas tree or presents etc. Life goes on as ever and at Christmas there will be neither Santa Claus nor The Holy Child to fill with joy, thanks to their presents the children's hearts. I feel, nothwistanding, that this is the true Christmas, because, as 2000 years ago, Jesus will be born here poor, among the poorest, without the great and powerful men's knowledge. We must remember furthermore that the sheperds, as poverty-stricken as these ethnic groups, were the first people receiving the Good News of The Saviour's birth: The Saviour, that is "God with us". I ask God that, thanks also to our presence, the joyful annoncement of that bright night might reecho among the local inhabitants.
At the beginning of this letter, I but wanted to thank you for all you've done and are doing for us and to give you my best Christmas wishes, but I let myself got carried away by my great happiness in being here. That's why I've drifted, recounting everyday occurences and that might have bothered you. I apologize. Let me change the subject and give you our thanks and, more importantly, the gratefulness of these people. THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of our heart. During the two months spent in Italy I've perceived the quality of your generosity, as well as your regard and love for the missions. Often and in several places I've launched the project "Adoptions from far away" and received many adhesions. I hope you'll continue sustaining those children's education.
Let me seal this letter up, sending to you my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I trust that the light Jesus turned on with his birth 2000 years ago will always illuminate your path. May He fill it with His peace.
A brotherly embrace and a mutual recollection in our prayers.
father Graziano
back