On 23rd January 2022 in Priego de Córdoba, the ceremony for the awarding of the 2022 Medal of Honor took place. Following the unanimous opinion of the Governing Board of the General Association of Confraternities and Guilds of Priego, it was granted to the Community of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Priego.

María José Castiñeira Villaseca, rscj, on behalf of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, accepted this special distinction with great emotion and gratitude to a town that, for 50 years, has been so kind and generous in welcoming them and opening its homes to them with affection.

In her words of thanks, Ma. José mentioned each of the religious who have been part of this community and who have passed on their values, gifts, life, dedication and above all their love for Jesus and Mary. A legacy that today, as in the past, continues to follow the charism of the Holy Mother, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Pilar Halcón, Carmen Mármol and Pepa Castiñeira, the three religious of the community of Priego, have been able to incarnate the love of Jesus in diverse forms and in many different ways.

The Senior Brother of the Confraternity of Our Lord Jesus Praying in the Garden and of Our Lady of Peace, Don Antonio Jesús González Arroyo, addressed a few words to the Congregation of the Sacred Heart:

“A heart that is united to that of Jesus is the seed that dies in the earth and produces a hundredfold." (St. Madeleine Sophie Barat)

These words sum up the charism of this Congregation. Just like the branch that is united to the vine, they unite their lives to this most Sacred Heart in order to be able to live in the same way and to be able to give their lives to others with an open heart, as represented by their symbol.

This heartbeat is centered around the house in the Caracolas neighborhood; it opens wide its doors and every day the sun shines in from above to bring light... and to continue the mission of making the world a better place for all.  There, the Community of the Religious of the Sacred Heart welcomes us, a community that is known for its love, service, generosity and, united in the same heart and the same Spirit, offers us fellowship and hope. 

Thank you Pilar, Carmen, Pepa, you are true Artisans of Hope.

Teté Escudero

Below are some photos shared by the RSCJ Community in Priego de Córdoba.

 

Original article from https://www.rscj.es/medalla-honorifica/. Translated and re-published with permission from the author.