The first fraternal visitation of the Provincial of Europe-South, Fr Gennaro Sorrentino CSsR, continues in each of the areas of the Province. On 13 May, he began his visit to the brethren of Portugal, meeting on the first day the brethren of the Lisbon region and getting to know the interprovincial community working pastorally in three parishes in nearby Amadora, a pastoral unit facing great social challenges.
The second part of the week saw a meeting with the brothers from the Porto region, again using chapter 15 of the Acts of the Apostles as a motto for dialogue. Southern Europe is also experiencing a moment of common discernment in favour of an urgently needed transition-opening.
In the meantime, besides visiting the institutions of social solidarity that the Redemptorists have and animate in Portugal, there was also the opportunity to meet the Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer and get to know some of the missionary projects in which they are engaged, such as the Redemptorist Spirituality Centre or the “Door”.
There was no shortage of time for good table – welcome to Portugal! – and, in the middle of the week, the whole Provincial Council of Europa-Sud devoted two days to meeting and working.
An important look at one of the most subtle but important dimensions of this fraternal visit: the encounter with sick brothers, some of them in specialised care facilities. May this encounter between memory and project be the secret of Hope.
