Founded in Chile
VATICAN CITY, 21 JUNE 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
Prayer and Life Workshops which appears in the Directory of
International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical
Council for the Laity.
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Official name: Prayer and Life Workshops
Acronym: TOV (Talleres de Oración y Vida)
Established: 1984
History: TOV was founded in Santiago, Chile, by Father Ignacio Larrañaga,
a Basque Capuchin Franciscan, who saw the lack of a methodological
approach to prayer in various ecclesial communities and felt the need to
lead the faithful toward a personal relationship with God.
His experience with the first group of lay people in Santiago prompted
the founder to devote himself to the training of leaders (guides) of
different nationalities, to set in motion "prayer workshops" in
different countries.
In 1987, the first international congress adopted a "Prayer and Life
Manual" that had been drafted by the guides from 15 countries. TOV
spread rapidly and, in 1993, 32 "consolidation weeks" were held in the
places in which it was present, to deepen the charism of the
association.
In 1994, at the second international congress the final version of the
manual was presented and a new international governance structure was
adopted.
On Oct. 4, 1997, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed
recognition of Talleres de Oración y Vida as an international
association of the faithful of pontifical right.
Identity: TOVs provide a service to the Church by supplying a practical
method for learning to pray in an orderly, varied and gradual manner,
from the first steps to the depths of contemplation.
The members are introduced to the prayer life, and helped to combine
prayer with engagement in ordinary temporal activities; to revive their
awareness of their status and dignity as baptized Christians, and their
responsibilities toward the mission of the Church in the world; to
become hothouses of lay vocations to the apostolate and service of the
Church in the dioceses and parishes.
The initial formation of the members lasts for a year, and is designed
to introduce them to the history, charism and life of the association,
and to learn different forms of prayer. After the members have been sent
out on mission, updating is provided in monthly meetings to deepen the
Word of God, the significance of the sacramental life and the
magisterium of the Church.
Organization: The TOV's organs of government are the International
Coordination, Zonal Coordinations (covering several countries), National
Coordinations, and Local Coordinations (covering several towns in the
same country).
Every coordination comprises a coordinator, a secretary and a treasurer
assisted, in the case of the national and local coordinations, by a
formator and a coordinator for young people. The Prayer and Life
Workshops are each headed by one or two guides.
Membership: TOV has 15,025 active members, and is present in 36
countries around the world. More than 2,500 people have links with it.
Publications: Espíritu y Vida, a six-monthly magazine
Web site: www.tovpil.org
Headquarters:
Talleres de Oración y Vida
Apartado Postal 22
Administración de correos Chuburna
C.P. 97201 Mérida
Yucatan —
Mexico
Tel. (52) 999.948.0222
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Fax 999.944.8733
E-mail: c.internacional@tovpil.org
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tovcano@prodigy.net.mx
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06062122
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