Annual Retreat of the Pauline Cooperators of Boa Vista, Roraima

The Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul marked an important moment in the life of the Pauline Cooperators group from Boa Vista, Roraima: their annual spiritual retreat. "At home within with Christ, to build the 'house'!" Guided by this theme, the group prayed and reflected on their personal and collective journey as Cooperators.

Cooperators Antônia and Rosângela share their impressions and experiences of this moment:

These were days of grace at the Gathering; we lived a profound experience of silence, prayer, and sharing. Throughout the event, we were invited to look inward before acting outwardly. We reflected on the fact that the Pauline mission is born of intimacy with Jesus the Master. Once inhabited by Him, we are sent forth—to build up the Church, the Pauline Family, our own families, and society. We came to realize that being a presence and building up others requires daily conversion, fraternal life, and apostolic zeal. The world needs communicators who have Christ at the center.

The dynamics of the gathering and the chosen biblical texts deeply touched the hearts of the cooperators. Many shared that they had arrived with "messy" hearts—with their "inner house" in disarray—carrying their fears, frustrations, and daily worries. Yet, we discovered that we can only build outwardly when Christ dwells within. We were challenged to bring this missionary zeal back to our communities. Only an inner home inhabited by Him can build up the Church and the world. It is in intimacy with Jesus that we find the strength, light, and love to build up the Church, our families, and society. The gathering is a time to enter our "inner home," listen to the Divine Master, and go forth with the faith to build the Kingdom.

We left this gathering committed to tending to our inner home in order to build our common home. We returned to our daily lives determined to set aside quality time with the Master, so that our words, networks, encounters, and work might be an extension of what He Himself speaks within us. As Fr. Alberione used to say: "First prayer, then works." May Jesus, the Master and Shepherd, continue to build up our inner lives.

The Gathering concluded with hearts full of hope for our own edification and the certainty that mission is born of a personal encounter with Jesus. With Fr. Tiago Alberione, Mary Queen of Apostles, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul, let us remain steadfast!

Maria Antônia Pereira Oliveira

Rosângela Amazonas Bezerra

Pauline Cooperators – Boa Vista/RR