From the Congregational Spirituality Centre, Angers, France
On 13th June, we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of Aguchita, a “simple woman, born in the ‘corner of the dead’, in Ayacucho, a witness to life. Life that comes from God to whose service she has dedicated all her strength” (Gustavo Gutiérrez, 1990). She received her faith formation from her family, particularly from her maternal grandmother, in her small village of Coracora, Ayacucho, in the Peruvian Andes.
At the age of 20, she embraced religious life as a sister of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. From the moment she joined the Congregation, she longed to be a missionary in the jungle. At the age of 70, after a fruitful religious life in many ministries, she was sent to La Florida, in the Peruvian jungle, to be part of the new community that had just been created. Her dearest desire had come true.
Unfortunately, Peru was going through one of the most critical moments in its history: the internal armed conflict. These were 20 years of terror, in the face of which the Church, as described in the Final Document of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2003), “played an important role in accompanying and protecting Peruvians affected by the violence of subversive organisations and state security forces. In many regions of the country, it was a voice denouncing crimes and human rights violations, and proclaimed and defended the value of life and the dignity of the person.”
Although it may seem paradoxical, on the day of her martyrdom, 27th September 1990, she was accused and assassinated “for promoting peace, for distributing food…”, which shows the impact of her legacy as a woman who, through her words and actions, sought to promote peace.
Today, her testimony of fidelity to God in the most difficult moments inspires us to remain in love, to firmly believe that “the hope that does not disappoint” (Rom 5,5) and not to normalise the death of so many victims in Palestine, Ukraine, Africa, in the Amazon, etc., in many other places unknown to us.
Therefore, remembering another year of her birth allows us to recognise how she allowed herself to be guided by her heart to unsuspected places by the God who loved so much and who let himself be loved. Her humane and simple treatment of all people without exception, her generosity without measure, her gentle smile, her fidelity to the mission entrusted to her, her care for creation… are palpable proofs of the fullness of her heart, “the locus of sincerity, where deceit and disguise have no place. It usually indicates our true intentions, what we really think, believe and desire, the “secrets” that we tell no one: in a word, the naked truth about ourselves. It is the part of us that is neither appearance or illusion, but is instead authentic, real, entirely “who we are”.
In today’s context, we face challenges that require us to be prophets of peace, as Aguchita once was. While it is true that we face daunting challenges, it is crucial to recognise that only in God do we find the strength to face adversity and to keep alive the hope of building a more just and caring world for all humanity; and this hope encourages us not to give up.
Today, Aguchita would tell us: DON’T GIVE UP!
“Don’t give up, you still have time
to reach out and start again,
accept your shadows,
bury your fears,
release the ballast,
take flight again.
Don’t give up, that is what life is all about,
continuing the journey,
pursuing your dreams,
unlock the time,
to run over the rubble,
and uncover the sky.
Don’t give up, please do not give in,
even if the cold burns,
even if fear bites,
even if the sun hides,
and the wind is silent,
there is still fire in your soul
there is still life in your dreams.
Because life is yours
And desire is yours too.
Because you wanted it and because I love you.
Because there is wine and love, it is true.
Because there are no wounds that time cannot heal.
Open the doors,
remove the locks,
abandon the walls that protected you,
live life and accept the challenge,
to recover laughter,
rehearse a song,
let your guard down and stretch out your hands,
spread your wings,
and try again,
Don’t give up, please do not give in,
even if the cold burns,
even if the fear bites,
even if the sun sets and the wind dies down,
there is still fire in your soul,
there is still life in your dreams.”
(Guillermo Mayer)
