Remembering the beginnings of the PLW

“Exuding boldness and generosity, and in a display of trust in God, the PLW had a surprising and explosive beginning” from its beginnings in 1984; “so by the end of 1986 the TOV were already functioning vigorously in 17 countries, with several hundred regular participants.” On October 4, the day of St. Francis, the TOV were approved by the Holy See as a private international association of the faithful, of pontifical right, with legal personality, with unexpected speed, to the joy of the entire TOV family.

“The PLW were something as if it were written, due to their novelty and originality. In this way they had been configured over the years as an instrument of evangelization especially suited to awaken dormant consciences or to give greater density and relief to a Christian life”.

Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to affirm that this “humble service” of the TOV, markedly lay, is one of the most effective within the Church in recent decades to awaken in its participants the desire for God and the call to become true followers of Jesus Christ.

The fact is that thousands of PLW Guides are still committed right now to fulfilling their mission as “sent for ones” and witnesses of Jesus Christ to announce to others what they themselves have “seen and heard,” in fulfillment of Jesus’ own mandate: “Go and announce the Gospel throughout the earth.”

Based on the book “An Adventure in the Spirit” by Father Camilo Luquín