The Shalom charism was witnessed for the first time on Slovak soil through the missionary testimony of Nara Santos, Samuel Briois, Rodrigo Damasio, Dara Livia (Community of Life), and Wallace Freitas and Barbara Skoczykloda (Covenant Community).
Over five days of mission in different areas of the dioceses of Žilina and Bytča, the missionaries were able to share unforgettable moments surrounded by families and young people, accompanied also by the Slovak priest Fr. Peter Olas.
For the young Terezsa Gloserova, the Shalom charism means being family: “Receiving the missionaries of the Shalom Community was a sign of the warmth and love of Jesus Christ. Families, young people, and missionaries shared many gestures of hospitality, mutual charity, and testimonies. The Shalom charism brings out the best in people; Shalom means finding a family and the peace of God.”
The novelty of the Shalom Charism for many peoples
According to Wallace Freitas, this experience was a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in Slovak culture and present the Shalom Community and charism through Mass animation, adorations, retreats, meetings with youth ministers, family visits, and more.
He also highlights: “Being hosted in the families’ homes helped us greatly to live the mission and to be missionaries for them. I believe our first mission took place in the homes of the families who welcomed us. We were very well received by the people and by the local Church.”
“Seeing the people’s gratitude was also something that deeply marked us. It is renewing to realize that our Charism is something new for many peoples; this helps us not to lose our prophetic calling,” Wallace says.
For Dara Livia as well, the warmth and hospitality of the Slovak people were among the most striking aspects of this experience: “The people are truly wonderful; I perceived much generosity and felt holiness in that place, especially among the families. Staying in their homes was very meaningful. It was interesting to learn how they conduct retreats and how the Church in Slovakia works.”
