This year, the third- and fourth-year communities of the Sa-Fa Madrid pastoral group were fortunate enough to spend Easter at the Casa de la Misericordia (in Alcuéscar, Cáceres). It is a house run by the Congregation of the Slaves of Mary and of the Poor, whose mission is to welcome people who need a place to live and care tailored to their needs.
Generally speaking, the residents come from difficult backgrounds. Many suffer from a disability or illness that limits their independence; others face difficult family situations and have no one to look after them… In short, they are people who have had difficult lives and are now spending their final years in this home, in a setting very similar to that of any care home.
Our work there has consisted of spending time with the residents, organising games and activities (we’ve become experts at pétanque, bingo, singing…) and helping the care home staff with their daily tasks. We’ve also been able to share the Stations of the Cross and the Easter Vigil with them. On the other hand, we have had our moments of prayer and sharing amongst ourselves, which have helped us to give meaning to these days and experience them more deeply.
They have been truly beautiful days that have allowed us to delve deeper into the true meaning of accompaniment. We have learnt that, very often, it is not necessary to do much or to find the right words: it is enough simply to be there, to remain by the side of those who are suffering, so that they do not feel alone. And this same philosophy has also helped us to accompany Christ on his journey to the cross.
We return to Madrid with our hearts full and deeply grateful to God for the lives of the residents, the priests and the staff. In their faces we have been able to recognise the silence and pain of Christ’s Passion, but above all the joy and hope of the Resurrection. Thank you, Lord, for bringing us to this home, where your love is so pure and tangible. There we have been able to experience more clearly than ever that God is love. We take away a lesson in life and an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
