Puerto Rico | Testimonies of The Latin American Missionary Encounter (EMLA)

EMLA 2023

Of the many things that I could highlight, the first is the fraternity, the brotherhood, the synodality that was experienced throughout the meeting and that still remains after the EMLA, among all those who participated.

It was a pleasure to be together as VMY, but also with the Daughters of Charity and the Pauline Fathers who said yes to accompany us and did it with so much love, joy, closeness and humility. Thank you very much for that.

As for the mission week, it was a week of great experiences of encounter with God, in the community that welcomed us. It was beautiful to be able to be with them so closely, their openness, their welcome. I loved being able to teach them about the Bible and how to look for the young people in it; praying the rosary together as a community, especially because it was the first time for many of them. Together with my companion, Vicky from Nicaragua: we prayed, played, laughed, explored needs, sought to encourage in faith, promote greater unity and talk about the essence and source of our faith life: Jesus the Eucharist. I continue to pray and communicate with the community so that soon they can have the Eucharistic presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle.

I am very grateful to the entire Coordinating Team, to each brother who gave himself the opportunity, to all those who made EMLA 2023 possible. Together with Jesus and Mary our life is mission.

Fabiola Torres Rivera 

VMY Puerto Rico