Fatima (Portugal). On 7-8 February 2026, at the Steyler Fátima Hotel in Fatima, the Portuguese Federation, Our Lady of Fatima (POR), and the three Spanish Federations (SPA) – Our Lady of Pilar Barcelona, Saint Teresa Madrid, and Mary Help of Christians Seville – of the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians gathered for a formation meeting.
Sister Leslie Sándigo Ortega, General Councilor for the Salesian Family, and Sister M. Sahaya Sangitha Rani, World Delegate of the Confederation of Past Pupils, were present for the occasion.
On 6 February, Rosalia Maria Magalhães da Silva and Sister Lea De Morais Teixeira, President and FMA Delegate of the POR Federation, along with the Councilors, welcomed the arrivals. Despite the inclement weather, the atmosphere in the hall was filled with joy and life, with approximately 50 Past Pupils in attendance.
The meeting officially began on 7 February with a moment of prayer led by the Spanish Federations, followed by a welcome from Sister Deolinda Teixeira, Provincial of the host POR Province. Sister Leslie then spoke about how to grow and strengthen one’s faith. Referring to the four phases of Strenna 2026: looking, listening, choosing, and acting. She urged the participants to discern the signs of the times in order to be of service to young people. Sister Sangitha then spoke to the Past Pupils about walking together as a Salesian Family in communion, appreciating each person’s diversity.
The speaker at the meeting, Sister Virginia Pinto Miranda, FMA of the Province of Mary Help of Christians (SPA), then addressed the theme, “Awake, there is a place for you.” She began her address by reflecting on the different attitudes people typically adopt when faced with difficult situations in the world. She then helped the Past Pupils open their minds to a broader horizon, toward a “prophecy of awakening.”
She then urged them to bring to the Church and the world the gift of the lay charism lived in the Salesian Family as “a vocational response that makes us present as signs and witnesses, dialoguing and offering the humble service of what we are for the common good.”
In conclusion, she encouraged them wishing, “May your gifts and talents, granted by God to each of you, bear fruit as you strive to grow in faith, true love, fraternity, and service to all, especially the least fortunate, those most affected by life, and those with fewer opportunities.”
After the conference, the participants worked in groups by Federation, starting with the questions posed by Sister Virginia, reflecting on their contributions to the Church and the Salesian Family as FMA Past Pupils. The morning concluded with the presentation of the responses to the assembly.
In the afternoon, Rosalia Maria, President of the POR Federation, along with her Councilors, led a group session, during which each member selected a phrase from a basket placed in the center and shared its meaning and application in their lives. It was a moment of free and sincere sharing, attentive and empathetic listening, and expressive and affectionate gestures of mutual support.
The following day, Sister Leslie concluded the meeting by asking the participants to gather again by Federation to answer the question: “How and when will they share this meeting and this experience in their Federations? What concrete initiatives will be taken to share its contents?” At the meeting, each Federation then proposed one or two themes for the 2027 Elective Assembly of the World Confederation of FMA Past Pupils.
The two-day meeting concluded with a Mass of Gratitude at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Fatima. The participants’ gratitude and desire to meet again, as well as the serenity they shared, are visible expressions of the fruitfulness of the meeting.
