Fatima (Portugal). This is the title of the Missionary Animation and Formation Seminar that is taking place in Fatima, Portugal. On March 4-11, under the gaze of Our Lady who appeared to the three little shepherds, Francesco, Jacinta, and Lucia, 60 participants between FMA, SDB, and volunteers coming from various parts of Europe and the Middle East are gathered for these days of intense spirituality and sharing of experiences, of study and reflection, and of fraternity and friendship.
To officially open the Seminar were Sr. Rosa Candida Gomez, Provincial of POR and Fr. Jose Anibal Mendonça, Provincial of POR who welcomed everyone and spoke of the presence of Mary in this sacred land.
Then the word passed to Sr. Alaide Deretti, FMA Councilor for the Missions, and to Fr. Guglielmo Basañes, SDB Councilor for the Missions who presented the journey taken by the FMA and SDB in the Sector of the Initial Proclamation and what was shared and produced in the preceding seminars. Among the greetings, there was that of Sr. Runita Borja, Councilor for YP who expressed greetings in the name of Mother, and Sr. Paola Battagliola, Visiting Councilor whose missionary experience will accompany the study days.
The official languages are Italian and English, and the language of the heart that already in these first days, gifts us with the sharing of experiences of the Initial Proclamation in the various contexts. Among the strong considerations there is the common conviction that the Initial Proclamation is a style of life. The care and the pedagogy of environment of the family spirit, of welcome, so dear to Don Bosco and Mary Domenica Mazzarello, is a fundamental instrument for the initial proclamation, so that the young we meet may experience the Lord Jesus.
The various days were marked with community prayer that enriches the meditations proposed each day by Sr. Maria Ko, FMA and from the gift of being housed near the Chapel of the apparitions. The presenters each propose themes for work that are concretized in workshops, with reflection and sharing of the initial proclamation in the areas of work: schools, oratories, universities, social communications, welcome centers for migrants.
The days of work conclude with the Eucharistic Celebration and after supper, with the traditional Good Night, sometimes preceded by moments of fraternity or substituted by the Rosary prayed together with the Pilgrims in Our Lady’s Chapel.
Sr. Maike Loes and Fr. Gianni Rolandi coordinate the activities proposed in the Seminar and are assisted by a Technical Team.
