Opera M

Opera M it's the reEthe volution of the works of mercy. It is the permanent instrument for the development of a strong and renewed thought of the works in the world.

It arises from an urgency strongly felt by spazio + spadoni of reEto turn the concept of the work of mercy as a path that is always simultaneously
human and divine together, and therefore, always spiritual as well as practical (or corporal). The rediscovery, indeed, the true reEthe evolution of works must be found within this synthesis between spiritual aspect and practical act.

Material work must always be permeated by the spirit.

The reEThe evolution of the works of mercy can be considered the charism of Opera M

Pray the works, for the works, with the works.

We must train our body and spirit to direct our steps on the path of OdM. Without constant prayer we will not be able to do so. Praying is a gift and an action; praying is opening communication with my deepest being and with God; praying questions the Spirit who, in turn, arouses and animates the OdM. Every action of Opera M must be anticipated, prepared, requested with prayer. If our action with the OdM is not supported by prayer it will lose meaning and will not be capable of generating true change. Those who act in Opera M He must convince himself that he is an instrument in the hands of God and that he needs his Creator to have dignity, purpose, and strength of action.

Spread the word missionariety through mercy

To be capable of spirit missionario is needed

• go towards the other
• welcome the other, as if he were Jesus
• recognize God's mercy
• do as He did
• to announce and witness Jesus with our lives

The OdM are the most effective tool to manifest the infinite mercy of God.

Reuniversalize the works in all in reciprocity

Works belong to everyone and are in everyone. We are small men and women, but within each of us lies the capacity, through the OdM, to accomplish gigantic things. If we give spiritual meaning to our actions, the potentially great, which is inherent in each and every one of us as children of God, regardless of creed, culture, or social class, will produce salvific fruits. The concept of universality, in this vision missionair, has the meaning of opening up, to know, understand and be able to build new space for testimony.

Organization

Opera M adopts the ethics of flocks. It organizes, moves and grows with the contribution of all, like the circling of birds in the skies, where each one flies in unison with the others to become part of a single body. It is the perfect balance of this cohesion that gives the sense and strength of the whole. Like the flock, Opera M it is not hierarchical but distributes among everyone the burden and honor of building the flight design in the sky. A virtuous system in which it is enough to follow simple rules to obtain a collective movement.

In everyday life, Opera M It makes use of organizational support designed to ensure that activities can proceed constantly, quickly and effectively, without overlapping roles and for the common good.

I am the central support of Opera MThey meet at least once a month but are constantly in contact with each other, they participate in initiatives of spazio + spadoni, contribute to the specific training of the other support levels (LINKER in particular).

They have the obligation to train in missionarity and OdM. They collaborate with the founder by defining the contents and methods to be used for spreading the Opera message. M.

He is the head of Opera M in a large area that may also include several countries. Must have some necessary skills and characteristics

• know spazio + spadoni , HIC SUM and Opera M
• knowing the OdM, praying to them, living their spirit by witnessing them
• knowing the territory, knowing how to relate by activating processes of communion and synodality in relation to the civil world (authorities and responsible for various organizations) and religious world (bishops, parish priests, congregations and religious groups)
• have an open mind to all people and young people, knowing how to involve with leadership skills; have assertive communication skills, problem solving, conflict management with a view to fraternal correction
• know the social economy; know how to plan and organize
• know the civil laws and religious traditions of the area
• know the charisms of the Congregations and Groups with which it has relationships

The LINKER maintains constant relationships (weekly/fortnightly) with spazio + spadoni and the SENIORS from whom it receives the initial training. It periodically organizes, in agreement with spazio + spadoni, the territorial Forum. Identifies the tools and takes care of their distribution. The LINKER maintains constant relationships with the AMBASSADORS – maximum 12 – with whom he is connected, taking care of their initial training and organizing their training on OdM every six months.

It is the figure delegated by the religious Congregation or other Organization to promote Work M in the territory of his competence, more or less vast; at the same time the nomination of a substitute is also requested. The AMBASSADOR chooses a CONSUL for each community in his territory.

A similar support function is provided to other groups.

The AMBASSADOR must have some necessary skills and characteristics

• know spazio + spadoni, the organization of OPERA M with the different figures, roles and functions
• knowing the OdM, praying to them and living their spirit by witnessing it
• know the territory, the activities present, the Associations, the people and the national regulations, in particular those for the protection of minors

It carries out basic training managed by the LINKER and/or the central structure of spazio + spadoni. It can also delve into aspects such as

• relational skills to use servant leadership in synodality
• skills for design and organization
• communication skills at various levels
• sense of service, humility and creativity

THE AMBASSADOR

• collaborates both with the reference LINKER and with the CONSULS of the Communities
• relates to other AMBASSADORS
• enhances the Charisma of its Congregation / Organization with the OdM, promoting integration with the spirit and action of Opera M
• coordinates with the CONSULs the operational strategies and the relations with priests, catechists and other figures of the communities
• identifies the possibility of developing projects HIC SUM
• Follows the projects HIC SUM of your own Congregation / Organization
• participates in the coordination for the organization of the area Forums
• promotes and takes care of the training of the CONSULS, also with the support of the LINKER and/or the central structure of spazio + spadoni
• takes care of the editing of information and articles for the magazine by the CONSULS Mission

The AMBASSADOR maintains constant relations with spazio + spadoni and the LINKERS. Organizes, periodically, meetings with the territorial CONSULS.

It is the figure, appointed by the Congregation / Organization, responsible for promoting the Work M in the community of reference and in the territorial context where it operates. It is the first designated to operate in the territory through Opera M, of which she is the protagonist, knowing how to identify the specific needs of the community, identify the projects and evaluate the results.

The CONSUL takes care of the relations between Opera M and the parish, the Associations, and the Institutions possibly present on site.

The CONSUL must have some necessary skills and characteristics

• know spazio + spadoni, the organization of Opera M with the different figures (roles and functions) and be aware of one's role
• knowing the OdM and the spirit that animates them; praying to them and living their spirit by witnessing it
• know the territory, the activities present, the Associations, the people
• develop a sense of belonging to OPERA M and to the network of spazio + spadoni
• live the attitude of street pedagogy, stand alongside, listen, working in unity, together
• collaborate with the AMBASSADOR and the reference LINKER as well as with the other CONSULS
• identify the possibility of developing projects HIC SUM in their community and constantly follow its implementation
• strengthen the Charism of the Congregation / Organization to which it belongs through the activities necessary for the development of Opera M and to the OdM
• coordinate, in collaboration with the AMBASSADOR, the operational strategies and relations with priests and local ecclesial entities (catechists, choirs, schools, families, etc.), thus allowing the entire community to be reborn through the OdMs that become Community OdMs
• share experiences of OPERA M that arise from common life, in creativity, welcoming, with passion and patience, whoever God wants to put on his path
• participate in the organization of the local forum
• take care of the editing of information and articles for the online magazine Mission and communicate through local media (newspapers, radio, etc.) the news that arises in the area
• commit to acquiring specific skills for the works carried out and for the social enterprise generated through HIC SUM

The CONSUL carries out basic training – promoted and curated by the AMBASSADOR – both theoretical and practical where he deepens relational skills to use service leadership in synodality, skills for planning and organization, communication skills at various levels and sense of service, humility and creativity.

The CONSUL maintains constant contact with the AMBASSADORS from whom he receives initial training.

The method

The method in Opera M is fundamental. It guides both the operator's attitude towards the works and how these works are formed and shaped in the process. A process to be understood as active and in movement, from raising awareness in the territories to the construction of works of merciful community.

The works of the merciful community are however “artisanal”: none of them is the same as the other; our hands can shape them with a common method but each one acquires a different form. And this is why we can give life to a true reEcultural evolution starting from having a methodological reference that is orienting to then act and build each time a different "artifact", with simplicity of gestures that can simultaneously reach the body and the spirit, that is, the life of people.

THEatteggiamento It's for Opera M the approach and the including It's the field work.

APPROACH

The reference model of the Opera method M It is based on 4 key concepts

Synodality

Synodality means building reflection, synthesis and proposals together with others, not as a simple gesture of respect but as an irreplaceable element of communion and sharing of the Opera's path. M. Works of mercy are not generated if not with a permanent desire for sharing, which requires time for mutual listening; care of relationships; ability to question one's own certainties in a true and generative encounter with the thoughts of the other.

The accompaniment

The work is not done, it is lived together.

Accompanying means sharing the work in its realization by placing oneself in a condition of mutual and ever new discovery with the work itself and the people who animate it. To do so, we must become aware of our own fragility and insecurity towards a reality that we can truly understand only through the experiences of others. Only in this way does it become an exchange between fragile people, which places each person in the condition of giving and receiving at the same time.

The brotherhood practiced

Fraternity does not have the same meaning as brotherhood and even less as solidarity. It is a transcendent concept that is based on a universal belonging.

• A fraternal society is by its nature supportive. But a supportive society may not be fraternal.
• Brotherhood is horizontal, it comes from below: we are united by a bond because we belong to the same community or the same species. In brotherhood the horizontal dimension joins the vertical one; people recognize themselves, or try to recognize themselves, in a common divine paternity.

In Opera M the approach to brotherhood therefore means a conscious predisposition to feel like children of a single father. This is why we speak of practiced brotherhood.

The perspective of the dignity of all people

We are all small women and men, but if we give spiritual meaning to our actions we become capable, through OdM, of doing gigantic things, regardless of belief, culture and social class. And everyone does OdM, often without realizing it. No one is so poor that they cannot
to perform one of the 14 works of mercy. For this reason, in Opera M an OdM cannot be achieved without making everyone aware of their own “great potential” in participating in the diffusion of OdM in the world.

FIELD WORK

Fieldwork seen from a methodological point of view is divided into two perspectives: that of vision and that of practice.

Vision consists in seeing Opera M not only as a process linked to the immediate objective – the OdM specifies – but also as a tool that nourishes, that takes care of the fertility, the realization and the propagation of possible works; a path therefore also aimed at multiplying the possible beginnings.

Practice consists in the style and rhythm that we decide to give to the development of the Opera processes. M.

• Reference is made to figures and support functions defined in the “organisation” chapter
• A proximity style is adopted, considering the neighbor, the next person as the first person or group to involve, to make aware, building a comprehensible and common language.
• A generative propagation is activated in the territories, asking to participate and to give a contribution to OPERA M; freely, with variable intensity and geometry in relation to the people, the place, the conditions
• We get further by building a process that has a collective but unique and specific vision in each community and territory, in a path that involves gradually

Tools and instructions

The toolbox

spazio + spadoni has created and constantly supports a plurality of operational tools and indications/suggestions available to all to promote Opera M at different levels. Most of these “tools” are multilingual.

The form of Opera M

It is represented by a hand. Each finger of the hand leaves a FOOTPRINT that recalls a concept considered necessary and essential while working so that the action takes on a sense of fullness and is in turn capable of positively infecting others.

The 5 footprints constitute the Form of Work M

1. INVOKE
2. LISTEN
3. MEET
4. WE OPERATE
5. LET'S FLOOD

The symbol

The scarf is a distinctive element of the Opera volunteer M and symbolizes the belonging, identity and value of the group. It consists of a square of cloth to be worn rolled up, on itself, around the neck.

Wearing the scarf means adhering to and promoting merciful service, spiritual growth and commitment to spreading the works of mercy.

The colors of Opera M

RED is the color of energy and strength. It is a push to reEevolution of the works of mercy.

WHITE always represents a beginning: a blank page on which to begin writing our story together.

GREY is the color of prayer and fraternal reciprocity of Opera M.

The motto of Opera M

"God's mercy is at work".

The answer is:

"Always!".

The motto is expressed every time we greet someone, when we want to remember a message and convey an emotion.

Prayer of the artisans of the works of mercy

Lord make me a craftsman

of your mercy,

so that,

through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy,

I bring the tenderness of your love

to those in need.

Amen!

ejaculation

Spirit of mercy, here I am, animate our works.

This timeline offers an overview of the evolution of Christian thought on the works of mercy, highlighting how the concept has developed and enriched over the centuries. With this temporal process of events, we also want to highlight the importance that the works of mercy have had in the history of the path of the church. spazio + spadoni It fits into this path to humbly give rise to the evolutionary path on and of the works of mercy.

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A Concrete Sign: The Diocesan Office for the Works of Mercy

The impact of the Forums of Opera M is already visible in many ecclesial realities. A significant example is that of the Diocese of Bafia, Cameroon, where the Bishop established for the first time in the world a Diocesan Office for the Diffusion of Works of Mercy, entrusted to the guidance of a nun. This represents a concrete sign of how much the path started by the Forums can generate long-lasting and structured fruits, capable of leaving a deep mark on communities.