Lisbon (Portugal). On 5 and 6 July 2025, the Assembly of the Our Lady of Fatima (POR) was held at the headquarters in Monte Estoril, Lisbon. The meeting was attended by 39 Sisters and lay people, representing 10 educational realities in Portugal.
At the Assembly was also present the Vicar General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister María del Rosário García Ribas, who supported the Province in the work of revitalization and restructuring begun a few years ago, to better adapt to the evolution of society, with the vital contribution of the Charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello in this Marian land.
The theme chosen for this Assembly, “Journey, with hope”, represents in a clear and real way the objectives that the Province has set for itself. To speak of journey and hope is to speak of life, search, courage, communion, and the awareness that, in giving themselves every day, the FMA are artisans of the charismatic dream, because “still waters do not move the mills”. In fact, it is not with regrets or defeatist attitudes that the Province goes forward.
On this journey, nourished by hope, aware of the rough terrain that can be hidden, we proceed with open eyes, attentive ears, and a heart that welcomes the messages the Lord sends in a thousand ways.
The Assembly began with the enthusiastic and current words of the Vicar General, who has outlined well the social and charismatic reality of the Province. The work continued with the sharing of reflections brought by the Provincial Council, the Local Councils, the Animators, and the Communities, involving all forces at play, so as not to let tiredness and discouragement take over.
As the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa says, “Labor is great and man is small… the part done is mine, the part to be done is only of God.” The FMA perceive the certainty that God is present, is among them, as recalled by Pope Leo XIV, “Evil will not prevail, we are all in the hands of God.”
The POR Province is therefore committed to evaluating its own capacities, planning for the future, analyzing the proposals of the communities, elaborating the provincial plan, and dreaming of the coming years, with the strength that comes from God and Mary Help of Christians, who does not forsake, for the work is not theirs, but of heaven.
Aware that the times to come will not be easy, they continue on their journey, anchored to the strength coming from above, from the Founders, from the maternal presence of the Help of Christians, and from the accompaniment of the Institute through the Sisters of the General Council.
The Sisters of the Province express their gratitude to Mother Chiara Cazzuola, who has sent her Vicar to accompany and encourage them in this phase of discernment and revitalization of the educational presences of the FMA, and to all those who have given their contribution, shared their experience and hopes for the future. Hope revitalizes and identity unites in a shared mission.
