The reEvolution of Works of Mercy of spazio + spadoni in Benin: “Post Forum”
How has OPERA M developed since the Cotonou Forum?
In the month of November 2023, spazio + sapdoni with the Forum on the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy launched her programmes in the diocese of Cotonou.
Six Religious Congregations indicated their interest to collaborate. Each of them sent a sister représentative, being referred to as ” Ambassadors of the Works of Mercy” As requested, they sent to the Secretariat of spazio + spadoni the necessary informations with regard to their Congregations.
Training for Ambassadors of the Works of Mercy
On the 19th of February 2024, formation commenced for these six Congregations to help them deepen important aspects of the reEvolution in collaboration with their individual charisms. Together, it was agreed that such formation should continue (in presence once in 3 months) and online once in a month (every first Thursday of the month).
We have had 5 sessions of such formation, the last one being on Saturday, 29th of June (in presence).
In each of these formations, Luigi Spadoni was always present with his équipe to attend to pertinent questions. Also we deliberated on our different Charismes, themes from Pope Francis (The Apostolic Letter of the Year of Mercy in 2016), the concrete aspects of the Gospel, (The Parables of the Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son and The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth).
The concluding part of this formation was a moment of dialogue which Luigi Spadoni had with each Religious Congregation in the presence of the Mother Superior and the Sister Ambassador. While expressing his gratitude to each of the congregations for adhering to collaborate with spazio + spadoni, Luigi underlined some important guidelines:
- The fact that each congregation should devote time for OPERA M.
- The need for Availability, Responsibility, Reciprocity and Creativity with regard to individual talents.
- The different fields of apostolate in schools, parishes…etc, already in favour of OPERA M.
- spazio + spadoni does not want to deprive the congregations of their commitment to their apostolate according to each ones Charisme, but to strengthen their efforts.
After the friutful dialogue each Mother Superior had taken the commitment to see with the general council of their congregations on next concrete step ahead. What seem to be common challenges for all of them is the lack of nuns to devote to the spazio + spadoni activity and the language barrier problem relative to the HIC SUM project.
In all, “The Mercy of God is in action! Always!”