The Christmas celebration of 2005 was drawing near … at times we forget the exact dates but the events themselves, whether joyful or sad, remain etched in our mind and in our heart.

I remember the joy with which we departed (as was our custom) at 4:00am on a Sunday morning from San Salvador on our way to Jucuarán (in the Department of Usulután) … a place of mission and formation. We passed through Puerto Caballo to Salamar (a beautiful rural area with an incredible view of the sea and with many wonderful people). We were a group of joyful young women, members of MISEVI who had graduated from the School of Theology of Saint Vincent de Paul … we were bold and daring and had visions of a better world.

Our pick-up truck was filled with piñatas, candy, cakes, soda, clothing, kitchen utensils, gifts (games and toys that were donated by the Daughters of Charity in San Jacinto, by Sister Alba at the Hogar de Niño and by Sister Ana Rosa) … the truck was also filled with our love. We sang as we traveled along the road … we sang to keep our driver awake (Rosita Cándida, a teacher by profession and a missionary by vocation) and we also did not want to fall asleep. Before departing, we prayed that God would keep us safe during our journey and that Vincent de Paul might be honored though out commitment to share the charism of solidarity and accompaniment. It should be mentioned that in those initial years of armed conflict in our country, there was a missionary presence of seminarians and members of the Congregation of the Mission.

We left the main highway at a crossroad that led us to one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, El Tamarindo. We were accompanied by a deep blue sky, a gentle refreshing breeze (that is characteristic of the month of December) and the aroma of sugar cane.

We entered Puerto Caballo, passed through Bocana-Bocanita and then traveled along the rural dusty roads toward Salamar. Suddenly, we heard children shouting: Mama! Mama! The Sisters with the piñatas and the gifts! The children waved their hands, had wide smiles on their faces, and again shouted: we will see you at 10am!

 There was of course an obligatory stop: tell Niña Lucía to go there with all her children. Niña Lucía is a very special woman, very lovable, illiterate, but knows the Bible and has a great heart that always reached out to us with love.

We arrived at Salamar and began to prepare the tables, separating the toys for boys from those for girls, preparing the piñatas, sorting the clothing (small, medium, large), filling bags with candy, cutting the cakes, etc.

We led the people in song and began with some group dynamics … and then the time came to “break open” the piñatas.

A tall man approached the group … his clothing was frayed and he held his hat in his hands as he courteously greeted us (a very humble gesture that is often used by men from the rural area).

This man told us: when I was a child, my father would bring me with him to work in the gardens of wealthy people. I would look at the children playing with the piñatas and throwing themselves on the ground in order to gather up the candy. I have always wanted to do this at least once in my life and so I want to ask you if you would allow me to do this today? I do not know how I did not cry at that moment even though now, as I write these words, tears begin to flow from my eyes. I responded to the man and said: Of course you can! I than asked the man to tell me his name and he told me he was called Juan. With great joy he began to hit the piñata and he did so at least five times. He then gave the stick to one of the other children and said: thank you so much!  We became very emotional and shared with him some of the candy and the refreshments and we asked him if he would like to take one of the toys … He took a toy truck from the table and then went on his way, his sombrero now placed on his head, his toy truck in his hand.

It was one of those magical moments in our ministry … sharing with Juan brought out the child that was within him. We engaged in a very simple activity but for Juan, this was an extraordinary event. Furthermore, this event impressed us and etched in our minds the great charity that is an integral element of the Vincentian charism. To love others, to engage in a struggle for a better world, to proclaim good news to the marginalized and the poor, to fulfill our commitments … all of these characteristics enable us to accompany the poor on their journey, to enter into solidarity with those living on the peripheries, to weep with those who weep, to be light in the midst of darkness and to serve unconditionally.

Written by: Rosa María Araujo

Translated: Charles T. Plock,CM
Eastern Province, USA