In the heart of the Bolivian Amazon, where tropical heat, red-dirt roads, and long distances are part of daily life, the Church’s mission continues to open paths for encounter, formation, and pastoral accompaniment.
The municipality of Sena, located in the Madre de Dios province of the department of Pando, hosted a training session on the Bible, Catechesis, and Liturgy organized by the Evangelization Office of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB), in coordination with the Apostolic Vicariate of Pando. Catechists, pastoral workers, and collaborators from various Amazonian communities traveled there, motivated by a desire to strengthen their evangelizing ministry.
The experience was marked by a profound reflection on the reality of mission work in the Amazon. Father Alejandro Castillo, a Mexican religious who serves at the San José Obrero Chapel in Sena, shared an anecdote illustrating the importance of approaching local cultures with respect and a willingness to learn. Shortly after arriving in the municipality, he noticed that many people had swollen cheekbones and assumed they were suffering from dental problems. Later, he realized that this was a deeply rooted cultural practice: pijcheo, or the chewing of coca leaves.
This experience became a valuable pastoral lesson: evangelization begins when one listens to, understands, and values the reality of the people, avoiding hasty interpretations from external perspectives.
The Word of God That Transforms Lives
During the biblical formation session, Abel Maldonado, head of Liturgy, Music, Sacred Art, Popular Piety, and Doctrine and Faith at the CEB, emphasized that reading Sacred Scripture cannot be reduced to intellectual knowledge of texts, dates, or authors.
“True understanding of the Word arises from an attitude of faith and inner openness,” he noted, inviting participants to discover in the Bible a living word that continues to illuminate the lives of communities and accompany them in their daily challenges.
The reflection emphasized the need to read Scripture with an open heart, allowing the Gospel message to transform relationships, decisions, and Christian commitment in the Amazonian regions.
Catechists Called to Be Witnesses
For her part, Cecilia Coronel, head of the Catechesis, Bible, and Cultures section of the Evangelization Area, recalled that catechesis is much more than the transmission of doctrinal content.
Inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis, she emphasized that the catechetical vocation arises from the Holy Spirit and is sustained by the consistent witness of those who proclaim the Gospel. Participants were invited to recognize their service as a concrete response to God’s call, lived out with faithfulness, commitment, and hope.
The conference reaffirmed that the catechetical mission transforms both those who receive the proclamation of the faith and those who share it within their communities.
A Living Liturgy at the Service of the People
Another central theme of the training focused on understanding the liturgy as a living experience of encounter with Christ.
Drawing on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the constitution *Sacrosanctum Concilium*, Abel Maldonado explained that the liturgy is not simply a set of rules or ceremonies, but a sacred action in which Christ continues to act in the midst of his Church.
This perspective helped participants rediscover the profound meaning of liturgical celebrations as a source of life, communion, and renewal for Amazonian communities.
A Church That Learns to Walk with the People
The experience in Sena serves as a reminder that mission work in the Amazon demands closeness, a willingness to listen, and the capacity to learn. In territories where cultures, traditions, and ways of life possess a unique richness, evangelization also means allowing oneself to be challenged by the reality of the people and recognizing God’s presence in their stories.
Amid red-dirt roads, intense heat, and long journeys, the Church continues to build bridges of encounter and hope. There, where life unfolds to the rhythm of the Amazon, faith continues to grow with patience, commitment, and deep trust in the Gospel.
