(Juiz de Fora, Brazil) – With the theme “Let us walk in the light of the Lord as lay people and missionaries”, the Catholic League of Jesus, Mary, Joseph held its 47th General Assembly in the “Casa de Ririti Seminario della Floresta” in Juiz de Fora ( MG) from 26 to 28 January. The theme was chosen the Church in Brazil for the Year of the Laity.
All the 24 federations were represented by their delegates, with the exception of only three. After the opening Mass, the first day was devoted to administrative matters and also to questions about pilgrimages to ‘Campos dos Goytacazes’ and ‘Aparecida’.
On Saturday 27th, the national ecclesiastical coordinator of the Catholic leagues, Fr. José Raimundo Vidigal, C.Ss.R., presented his book “One hundred questions and answers on the Bible” and all the 100 copies available were immediately sold. Fr. Dalton Barros, C.Ss.R. gave an excellent talk on how to live creatively the three current crises: ethics, religion and culture. In the afternoon, each federation spoke about its work to “bring God to families and families to God”, a summary of the mission of the Catholic League. In his intervention, Fr. Vidigal spoke about the duty to invite young people to walk together, giving them motivations and activities appropriate to their age.
At the closing Mass, the Provincial, Fr. Américo de Oliveira, C.Ss.R., recalled that the League is part of the Redemptorist Family and has given each participant a Redemptorist agenda of 2018, so as to be able to follow closely the life and mission of the Province. He also asked them to pray and work for vocations.
“The atmosphere of the Assembly was one of joy and fraternity, a shared experience, especially on Saturday evening with the accordionists of the neighbourhood. We thank the presence of Fr. Americo and Fr. José Carlos Campos, C.Ss.R., former ecclesiastical coordinator, and also the staff who welcomed us warmly to Floresta’s house “, said Fr. Vidigal.
(Www.provinciadorio.org.br)
