On Pentecost, the day of the foundation of the Manquehue Apostolic Movement (MAM), we are pleased to share news from Alvaro Gazmuri and Cata Quiroga, who send us their prayers and greetings from Santiago. They both note that it has been “strange times” in Chile, where they have encountered both social unrest and uncertainty, simultaneously with the worldwide pandemic. In these unique and challenging times, they continue to “think of how to read everything that is happening around us from the faith perspective. God is in control and He is the Lord, so he might be trying to tell us something through all of this.” In the Benedictine spirit, they continue to listen with the ear of the heart “very open.”

Alvaro is content in his work developing the Manquehue mission: “I have been working in ‘Jovenes Manquehue’, which is the area of Manquehue that works with the youth from Junior High School to 5^th year of college, basically developing spaces where young men can meet Christ: Lectio Divina groups, retreats, Confirmation groups, and the like.” Cata just returned to MAM work, after having been tending to the home, on maternity leave almost all year. “In Chile, we have 5 months and a half of maternity leave, so I have enjoyed very much the time with the children at the house. This week I went back to work, which has been an adjustment, especially leaving the kids in daycare. But I am also very, very happy with my mission, also with the “Jovenes Manquehue”, but with young women at San Anselmo.” They both are heartened to discover that “it is the gift to see in these times of confusion and pessimism around us, how young men and women thirst for God, for meaning, for real friendships and social life.” They see many opportunities to announce the joy and hope of the Gospel.

Family life remains a supreme blessing for them. Their now-two children are doing very well. Cata notes that “Clara will be 2 years old in 2 weeks - we can’t believe how fast the time has gone! She is such a unique energetic girl, very sociable and cute; we think these characteristics are the fruit of her first months of life in the Abbey community, where she learnt from the beginning to be with others and share friendship in Christ.” Clara can express herself through language very well and her presence in our family is pure joy. Apologetic, Cata notes that they have not been able to teach her English at the same time, with her only English word being “please”! Their new son, Ignacio, is 6 months old. The proud parents tell us; “He is such a cute fellow, well-behaved and a good sleeper, so we are very grateful for him. He is learning to roll over and sit down on his own! Clara is such a good sister with him… not so much at the beginning though!”

The Manquehue movement has also continued to grow, most notably having added a fourth school to their group: San Luis de Alba, located in the south of Chile in the beautiful city of Valdivia. The movement has a long history of friendship with this school, Alvaro comments, and its longstanding advisory relationship became formalized as San Luis de Alba last year officially joined the MAM network. The school year here began, as is usual, in March. While they were able to start in person for about 3 weeks, the country soon went back into lockdown mode. Alvaro says that “about a month ago things started opening again, so 3 of our 4 schools are open at the moment. San Lorenzo is still working remotely.” Meanwhile, at the Movement´s houses in Patagonia, 7 young men and women are in residence doing the 4-month formation retreat program. In June, they hope to send the first group of students to Patagonia for the 10-day retreat experience, after more than a year of the houses being closed for students because of the pandemic. This upcoming week, the San José community is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of foundation as the first Manquehue retreat house down in Patagonia.

Also, this upcoming Pentecost feast is the 44^th anniversary of the Movement´s foundation. Cata remarks how “it is amazing to look back on our history and see how the Spirit has worked in our lives, and how Lectio Divina, the community, the friendship and the gift of Benedictine tradition have been such a huge gift for all of us. For both of us, friendship with the EBC communities has been so important in our lives, as we have been able to spend time at Ampleforth, Downside, Worth, St. Louis and Portsmouth, experiencing Benedictine friendship, warmth, hospitality and wisdom. This has been without a doubt such an important part of our lives, and now part of our entire family. We give thanks to the Lord for this huge gift.” The two have joyfully stayed in touch with news from the Abbey through The Current and Chris Fisher, with whom they meet on a regular basis to talk about Lectio at the school and to look for ways to develop the Manquehue-Portsmouth friendship and mutual support. Last week, there was an online workshop in which Chris and Lauren Fisher, as well as with Emily and Dan McQuillan, joined with several of the Chileans who have recently been at Portsmouth (Tere, Ramon, Trini, Berni, Renato and Flo), discussing the formation of the Lectio Leaders community. Cata remarks that “it was a great moment to share friendship, pray together and learn. We hope to keep up these initiatives.”

With gratitude from afar for all the Cata and Alvaro have done for the Portsmouth community, and all they continue to do to share the Pentecost mission of hope, we are glad to receive their and to pass on to our readers their latest update.

A greeting from Alvaro, Cata, Clara, and Ignacio


Clara and Ignacio