SAN LUCAS SACATEPÉQUEZ, Guatémala, Amérique centrale - With the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the company of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, we gathered in the retreat house of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, in San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala, from 18th to 31st January 2010. We were representatives of MSC, MSC Sisters, Daughters of NDSC, and Lay MSC participating in a course on the Spirituality of the Chevalier Family in order to deepen our spirituality in these post modern times. Present were over 45 participants from: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Italy and Belgium. In this message we wish to share with all of you some of what we experienced, thought about and celebrated during those days.
Download Message to the Chevalier Family
Download images

We started the first week with a conjectural analysis of the global reality, especially that of our own countries, where we can find various levels of poverty, corruption and violence. We also looked at some positive elements, such as the desire for peace, justice and hope among our people. We continued to reflect on the human dimension in our lives, as an important point for a good and rich experience of God. Also as part of the course, there was a reflection on how to live our spirituality despite the threats and challenges of these post modern times.

A noteworthy aspect of the first week was the conference about martyrdom which has occurred in Guatemala, especially the MSC martyrs, José María Gran, Faustino Villanueva and Juan Alonso. This reflection was enriched by a pilgrimage made to some places of the martyrs of Guatemala.

During the second week we analysed the challenges of post modernity for the religious life and especially for the Chevalier family. We also discussed the depth of the spirituality of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and the richness of the enculturation of her image in different regions.

An important element that united and strengthened us as a family were the moments of prayer and the Eucharist each day. The liturgy was prepared by a different country each day. The evenings were joyful and illuminated by the various artistic and cultural representations of our region.

We completed this course of spirituality as a retreat that helped us return to our countries and places of mission with great courage.

As a result of this experience, we want to share with you what should be the profile of a member of the Chevalier family. This is attached to this message.

We invite all members of the Chevalier Family to continue to deepen our experience of God, a source of nourishment for us, to carry out joyfully the mission that has been entrusted to us: that the Lord Jesus who loves us with a human heart may help us to be like him, close to the poor and suffering.

That the testimony of our martyrs may help us to live our mission with dedication, since we are confident that another world is possible.

We ask Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, humble woman, brave and simple, to lead us to the Heart of Her Son, where we find the love and courage to overcome the evils of today.

Sacatepéquez San Lucas, Guatemala,
January 2010.

Profile of the Chevalier Family


1. Persons who are:

Humble, simple, approachable, hospitable, generous, cheerful, creative, mature, authentic, critical, continuing personal formation, balanced, free and liberating, serious.

2. Experience of God:

Passionate for Jesus and the Kingdom; a contemplative and prayerful person; Christological and Marian; loves God, a mystic and a prophet, faithful to the Gospel.

3. As a Community:

Available, fraternal, dialogue, capable of listening, participative, respectful of diversity, practises discernment, solidarity, forgiving, works as a team, promotes unity and a sense of belonging.

4. Mission of Chevalier Family is characterised by:

Helpful; brave, even to the extent of giving their lives; sowers of hope; realistic; sensitive to each culture; have an option for the poor; work with the JPIC; know how to use modern communication systems; sense of Church; dynamic, engaged with the people, attentive the needs of the time.