Maria Voce visited Seville from 19 -22 of January, and last Friday she visited the day centre for the elderly ‘La Miniera’ run by the Economy of Communion an initiative launched by Chiara Lubich 20 years ago.
Maria Voce was very moved during her visit, so much so she exclaimed “I would have come to Spain just to see this!” Looking at the development of La Miniera she added: “I think this is the beginning of something big (…) The important thing is not economy but communion, sharing. Communion has no need of goods; goods arrive after communion”.
She underlined the important role of ‘divine providence’ in projects of this kind, considering it almost as a shareholder.
Elena Bravo and Jose Alonso, director and administrator of La Miniera, respectively, led the visit which lasted over 2 hours. Maria Voce met all the workers and the clients who warmly welcomed the president and co-president of the Focolare. She saw at close hand the services the day centre offers and the personalised care given to the elderly.
The elderly are at the heart of this project, Elenor and Jose explained. The staff designed the layout in such a way that client’s needs can be best met: “We try to keep a forward momentum so that they maintain their abilities and don’t regress”.
La Miniera was set up in 2003, thanks to the commitment and dedication of Elena and her husband Miguel Munoz and also Jose and his wife Ana Vera – founder partners – together with the employees.
Maria Voce left her impression of the visit in the visitor’s book: “Thank you for the moving testimony of mutual love”. Giancarlo Faletti, co-president of the Focolare, left his as: “It’s been a marvellous visit! Thank you for your efforts and your love for this splendid project of the Economy of Communion”.
At the end of the visit they had a group photo taken as a momento.