Neiva, Colombia. Fifteen educational delegations participated in the 43rd Meeting of Claretian Lay Educators, held from October 30 to November 2, 2026, at Colegio Claretiano de Neiva, in the Province of Colombia–Ecuador. Under the theme “A Pact Rooted in Love in Socio-Emotional Education,” participants came together for formation, the sharing of pedagogical experiences, prayer, and fraternity.
Teachers Lucero Falla and Henry Calderón, key figures in the Claretian Lay Educators (LEC) gatherings, presided over the opening ceremony. Fr. Darío Carbajal, CMF, Major Superior of the Province of Colombia–Ecuador, encouraged participants to strengthen their formation in the Claretian charism and the spiritual journey of lay educators. The participants also received greetings from Fr. Pedro Belderrain, CMF, General Prefect of Apostolate.
Fr. Josué González Jaramillo, CMF, and the school principal, Adriana Marcela Beltrán Losada, welcomed the participants on behalf of the host institution. They emphasized the role of classrooms as spaces for evangelization and education in caring for our common home, fostering fraternity, and promoting solidarity.
The delegations shared practices in socio-emotional education rooted in the spirituality of St. Anthony Mary Claret and a humanizing approach to pedagogy. Experiences were presented by Centro Clotet, dedicated to the education of the deaf community in Mexico; Fundación Hogares Claret, in Colombia; and the Filodehambre community in Neiva, whose work focuses on popular education.
Presentations by Fr. Josué González Jaramillo, CMF, and Jefferson Narváez Díaz explored the relationship between feelings, reflection, action, and protection in the classroom. Group discussions provided an opportunity to reflect on the pedagogical expression of Claretian love and the essential dimensions of shared mission, the option for the poor, interculturality, synodality, and discerning leadership.
Following the final evaluation, the teaching staff of Colegio Claret de Lima, Peru, accepted the invitation to host the 44th Meeting of Claretian Lay Educators in 2027, ensuring the continuity of this journey of formation and missionary collaboration.
Sabás C. García González, CMF, MICLA, Executive Secretary
