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Founder Canonized in 2003
VATICAN CITY, 19 JULY 2006 (ZENIT) Here is the description of the
Teresian Association which appears in the Directory of International
Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for
the Laity. * * *
Official name: Teresian Association
Acronym: TA
Established: 1911
History: The TA originated in Oviedo, Spain, where it was started by
Father Pedro Poveda Castroverde, who was canonized by Pope John Paul II
in 2003.
In view of the prevailing mentality that held that faith and culture are
incompatible, he felt the urgent need to demonstrate that the
advancement of humankind and the transformation of society are only
possible when people receive a cultural education rooted in the Gospel.
The challenge was how to educate people to live fully as baptized
Christians and to be a transforming presence in society.
In 1913, Father Poveda met Josefa Segovia who was to work closely with
him and become the first president of the Teresian Association. It was
she who presented it to Pius XI, and he approved it as a Primary Pious
Union in 1924.
She went on to extend the association upon the death of the founder. On
November 21, 1990, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed
recognition of the Institucion Teresiana as an international association
of the faithful of Pontifical Right.
Identity: The TA promotes the relationship between faith and culture as
a means of human growth and the transformation of society. It is
committed to the building up of a just society that shows solidarity and
is animated by the values of the Gospel.
Its members pursue these aims through their work, by being present in
the world as leaven, salt and light, proclaiming the Gospel as the Word
that cannot be silenced. The preparation of members of the TA is based
on providing the cultural and professional training to meet the needs of
their vocation and mission, as well as study in theology and the human
sciences.
Specific areas of activity are education in schools, university, the
family, the mass media and teacher training. The association has
consultative status with Ecosoc and it collaborates in programs promoted
by UNESCO.
Organization: The TA is an association of members joined by vocation who
have different forms of commitment. At the heart of the TA is the
primary Association made up of women who are totally dedicated to
performing their mission through promises to that end laid down by the
founder. The primary association is assisted by the cooperating
associations of the Teresian
Association, which are local, regional, national and international, made
up of men and women committed to cooperating with the TA mission of
which they form an integral part.
Membership: The TA has about 4,100 members and is present in 32
countries as follows: Africa (3), Asia (4), Europe (9), Middle East (3),
North America (5), and South America (8).
Works: The TA runs schools, university residences, social-cultural
centers, teacher-training centers, youth organizations, international
cooperation programs in Africa, America and Asia, an international
volunteer program, periodicals, publishing house, schools for families.
Publications: Crítica, a Spanish monthly magazine dealing with current
themes from an interdisciplinary perspective. Novamerica a bilingual
journal in Spanish and Portuguese published three times a year with
monographic themes by writers from different countries.
Web site: http://www.institucionteresiana.org
Headquarters:
Institucion Teresiana
Via Clitunno, 33/35 - 00198 Roma - Italy
Tel. [+39]06844351 - Fax 068443535
Email: secdirit@pcn.net
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06071921
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