Live in the moment: Immersion in Peru

As we prepare for our immersion visit to Peru this July with staff from St Edward’s College, alongside colleagues from Edmund Rice schools in North America, the Brothers leading this remarkable programme have kindly shared further details with us.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT: IMMERSION IN PERU
Br. Stephen Casey, CFC
Office of Educational Services
Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America

“What are we doing next?” This is a question we inevitably hear from students during the first few days of their Immersion in Peru. “Tell us the schedule!” As students from Edmund Rice schools in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Uruguay, they come to Lima (where the Christian Brothers have served since 1967) ready to work. Our oft-repeated response to their request to know what’s going to happen next is: “Live in the moment!”

The Immersion Program has been running for 20 years and has seen nearly 2,000 members of the Edmund Rice Network from 25 different schools and groups build 250 homes for families living in extreme poverty. While some schools might prefer to call what we do a Mission Trip, a Service-Learning Experience, or even a Pilgrimage (all of which capture aspects of the week), we simply call it Immersion. This word, somewhat unfamiliar to the students, challenges them to reflect on why they have chosen to step out of their comfort zones and dive into an unfamiliar culture in a country where 30% of people live in poverty and 6% in extreme poverty. Usually, the students come with generous hearts and a desire to help and serve others — and they certainly do that! They spend a day working with the Pastoral (Campus Ministry) team of Fe y Alegría (Faith and Joy) 26, an Edmund Rice school of 1,400 students sponsored by the Christian Brothers. They learn about Laudato Si’ and put into practice our faith’s call to care for our common home by planting and gardening. They visit and pray at historic churches and shrines to Peru’s great saints: St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres. They climb mountains to visit homes and hear stories of struggle and survival from our friends, Tania and Carmen. They tutor and organize games for children at a community center and serve meals for the hungry at the olla común. And in just three days, they build a new wooden home in the village of Jicamarca for a family in desperate need. It’s a busy week, and the students do a lot of hard work! But building the home is not nearly as important as building community during the Immersion.

Each night, the group participates in meaningful reflections about the events of the day and where they found God’s presence, compassion, and liberation (presencia, compasión y liberación) in the busyness of it all. In doing so, their understanding of Immersion deepens, and they begin to see things differently. They came to Peru to serve and help others, but they almost inevitably end up discovering that they have received so much more than they could ever give. By walking with their brothers and sisters made poor, they gain a sense of perspective on the world and their ability to use their gifts and talents to make it a more just place. They express gratitude for things they take for granted, especially their education and family. And they carry the stories of the people they met and worked with back to their homes. The Peruvian priest and founder of liberation theology, Gustavo Gutiérrez, challenges us: “So you say you love the poor? Name them.” We invite you to join us in Peru, learn some names, and share their stories.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

¡Vive Jesús en nuestros corazones, para siempre!

Br. Stephen Casey comes from New York and has been ministering in Peru for 20 years. Alongside Br. Robert Droel from Chicago and many Peruvian co-workers, including Mr. Kevin Albarran, he coordinates the Immersion program for the Office of Educational Services. This July, representatives from Edmund Rice England will be joining teachers from North America on a special “Pilgrims in Peru” Immersion with more opportunities planned for the future.