CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF “UNITATIS REDINTEGRATIO”
The Ecumenism Delegation of the Diocese of Madrid and the San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University, together with our parish of Santísimo Redentor-Madrid, have organized two events celebrating the path taken in the Catholic Church since the promulgation of the Decree on ecumenism “Unitatis Redintegratio” by Paul VI, on November 21, 1964.
Concern for ecumenism was present in the Council’s work from the very moment it was convened. John XXIII pointed out the unity of Christians as one of its main objectives. At the beginning of the Decree, we read: “To promote the restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the main aims of the Holy Second Vatican Council, since there is only one Church founded by Christ the Lord, even though there are many Christian communions that present themselves to men as the heritage of Jesus Christ.”
Aitor de la Morena, diocesan delegate for ecumenism in Madrid, together with Dr. Sr. Carolina Blázquez, professor at the San Dámaso ecclesiastical university, have been the soul of the organization of the two events with the presence and help of the ecumenical community of Taizé in Br. Jean-Marie, and the contribution of our parish of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The academic event on Thursday 21st, at the UESD, consisted of two sessions. One in which the bishop emeritus of Almería, D. Adolfo González, reminded us of the ecumenical journey made by the Catholic Church during these last sixty years. The second session, moderated by Professor Sister Carolina Blázquez, was a round table in which Brother Jean Marie, from Taizé, participated, who from the experience of his community, spoke of spiritual ecumenism. He reminded us of that quote from John XXIII that Brother Roger liked so much: “We will not judge history. We will not try to find out who was right and who was wrong. We will say: Let us reconcile!” Professor Juan Sánchez, from the Protestant faculty SEUT, spoke of theological ecumenism. María José Borrego, a member of the Focolare movement, spoke of ecumenism of charity. Finally, Sister Carolina said a few words about the ecumenism of blood, of those who are known to have been martyred not so much for belonging to a church or community but for the fact of being Christians.
The next day, Friday 22nd, the Prayer Vigil for Unity was held in our parish, following the pattern and the songs of the Taizé prayers. About two hundred people gathered for the prayer. Beforehand, a choir of voices and instruments had prepared the song, the texts, the pattern, the decoration of the place, and the welcome and so on.
The young sisters of the Conversion Monastery were in big number. Missionaries of Unity and Orthodox representatives of the Romanian Church and other confessions were also present. The entrance procession began with the prayer with the songs “Awake, you who sleep!” and “Christe, lux mundi.” A few words of welcome from the diocesan Delegate for Ecumenism were followed by the song “Dominus Spiritus est” and the proclamation of Psalm 103 (102) interspersed with the singing of the Alleluia.
After this praise, a young Orthodox man proclaimed the Gospel (John 17:17-24) followed by a brief meditation by Brother Jean Marie, from Taizé. After the meditation, after the song “God is Kind,” there was a period of silent prayer.
The Orthodox confreres interspersed the Kyrie between the various intercessions composed with texts from the conciliar decree Unitatis Redintegratio. I would like to highlight UR7: “True ecumenism cannot exist without interior conversion. In fact, the desire for unity arises and matures from the renewal of the soul, from self-denial and from the generous outpouring of charity.” Another set of prayers revolved around social themes, especially for peace in the whole world and for the peoples of Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Yemen…
Before praying the Lord’s Prayer, we sang “Nada te turbe.” After the blessing, the people approached the cross that presided over the prayer and lit a candle before it, which was the gift to leave the temple carrying the light of the Risen Christ, while we sang “Luz es tu Palabra.”
The vicar for ecumenism thanked everyone present and we concluded by singing “Let all the world praise.”
After the prayer, Fr. Marek from Poland took a souvenir photo with Brother Jean Marie from Taizé and some of the Redemptorists present: Paulo from Brazil; Gerardo from Puerto Rico; Carlos from Bolivia and José Miguel from Madrid.
José Miguel de Haro, C.Ss.R.
