The Bishop of Chota, Msgr. Víctor Villegas Suclupe, OAR shared a deeply symbolic gesture with Pope Leo XIV: two gifts that condense the heart of the northern highlands of Peru. northern highlands of Peru. It is a book on the book on the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumption in CutervoThe book is a traditional Andeansaddlebag , used by the peasants as a sign of work and life. A tribute from a simple, believing and generous people.
Vatican City – Tuesday, June 10, 2023 – Redaction Communication Office.
A book that gathers the faith built
One of the gifts given to the Pope was a book that narrates the construction of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption. Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumptionin the town of Cuterbo. It is not only an architectural text, it is a living testimony of the faith and commitment of the people.
“This book represents the effort of the People of God”, explained Bishop Villegas.Villegas explained. “Everything was done with activities, local donations and help from abroad. It was a shared work.
The bishop wanted the Pope to know the testimony of so many people who put their grain of sand to build a temple worthy of praising God. In its pages, the story of a community that builds with faith, hope and love is kept.
The saddlebag: the heart of the Andean people
The second gift was a saddlebaga typical object of the Peruvian peasant, which symbolizes work, sacrifice and daily life. Bishop Villegas explained it with tenderness:
“The saddlebag is used in the fields. The farmer carries it on his shoulder, carries his things in it, goes back and forth with it. It represents the commitment and dedication of our people. I gave it to the Pope to remember us.”
The Pope, upon receiving it, commented with joy: “How beautiful! How beautiful!”, moved by what it represented and by the memory of his beloved Peru.
A people present in the Pope’s heart
For Bishop Villegas, more than giving objects, it was a matter of the history, faith and love of the people of Chota to the Successor of Peter. to the Successor of Peter.
“We told him: Holy Father, this is what our people do. We give it to him with affection, so that he can see their effort and their faith. We feel blessed by his presence, strengthened knowing that he has us in his thoughts.”
The bishop did not hide his emotion when describing how he felt that his community was present, alive, in this meeting with the Pope.
A gesture that goes beyond the material
There was no luxury or protocol in these gifts. There was truth, life, community. Bishop Villegas gave two profoundly human and evangelical signsa faith built in stone and a saddlebag full of hope.
A gesture that reminds us that, in the heart of the Church, there is always room for the little ones, the humble and those who work with their hands and pray with their souls.