This gathering, which welcomed about 90 participants from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, began on the morning of September 11, 2025, with the daily offering prayer, followed by the conferences.
The Conferences
The first conference was given by Fr. Quinto Regazzoni, SCJ: “Looking at the world from His Heart: called from the heart of the world.” It enriched participants through the thought of philosopher Byung Chul Han, the teachings of Popes Francis and Leo XIV, as well as the social thought of Fr. Dehon. In a heartless society, lacking a true “we,” it is necessary to heal hearts wounded by sin and injustice and to create spaces for shared life.
The second conference, by Fr. Jaime Castellón, SJ, focused on: “Looking at reality through the eyes of the Heart of Jesus, in the light of Fr. Arrupe and St. Alberto Hurtado.” It explored the spirituality and social thought of these two Jesuits, their vision of the social mission of Catholics, and the reform of the social order, centered on the renewal of minds.
Finally, Cardinal Ángel Rossi, Archbishop of Córdoba, in his conference, guided participants—through the wisdom of poets and artists—on an inner journey to our hearts, which open to proclamation like Mary and the Samaritan woman.
The first day ended with Mass at the Church of the Society of Jesus, in the historic Jesuit quarter, presided over by the same Cardinal and concelebrated, among others, by Bishop Héctor Zordán of Gualeguaychú, Bishop Emeritus Virginio Bressnelli of Neuquén, and the Superior of the APU Province of the SCJ, Arildo Ferrari.
The seminar resumed on Friday, September 12, again with the prayer of daily offering. The first conference was given by theologian Maria Ana Aguirre (UCC): “Give me a heart that beats like yours, Lord. Biblical aspects of the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus.” It was a beautiful reflection on the biblical meaning of the heart, as a place of encounter with God, a sensitive intelligence, and on Jesus’ gentleness as a tenderness accompanied by steel-like firmness.
Roundtable and Workshops
The day continued with the roundtable “Historical Research and Responses from the Heart of Jesus,” featuring Fr. Claudio Barriga, SJ, Bettina Raed (Worldwide Prayer Network), Sr. Flor Blanco, ECJ, and the lay couple Victor Vallejos and Lilian Mendoza (Dehonian Laity), moderated by Ariel Reyes. Each shared their vocational experience guided by the Heart of Jesus. In the afternoon, rotating workshops were held: Catechesis on the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sr. Valeria, ECJ), Leadership and Sacred Heart (Fr. Adriano Marques, SCJ), Contemplatio (Ariel Reyes), Bibliodrama (Fr. Diego Díaz, SCJ), and Intelligentia cordis (Fr. Quinto Regazzoni, SCJ).
Closing
Saturday, September 13, was dedicated to closing activities. After the daily offering prayer, pastoral tools inspired by the encounter with the Heart of Jesus were presented: Click to Pray, Ignatian Way, Manresa Youth, Mercy Center, Eucharistic Youth Movement (MEJ), and various projects with children from two Dehonian schools in Chile. Afterwards, Fr. Cristian Marín, SJ, gave the final conference: “Gestures and Words – Dilexit nos. Criteria for Life,” a reflection based on Dilexit nos and pastoral discernment.
The seminar concluded with the Eucharist at the Cathedral of Córdoba, presided over by Bishop Héctor Zordán of Gualeguaychú and concelebrated, among others, by Bishop Emeritus Virginio Bressnelli of Neuquén, and the Superior of the APU Province of the SCJ, Arildo Ferrari.
