With the grace of God, the blessing of Mary, the protection of Saint Geraldo, and the support of countless friends, UNESER held the 30th National Meeting of Former Redemptorist Seminarians (ENESER) from July 25 to 27, 2025. The event took place at the Santo Afonso Seminary Reception Center in Aparecida, SP, and was marked by spirituality, moving encounters, and a celebration of the participants’ shared history.
The XXX ENESER gathered approximately 80 people, out of the 89 registered, a number reduced due to some cancellations for health reasons and unforeseen commitments. About 40 former seminarians and three priests participated: João de Deus de Souza, a Redemptorist from Salvador, Bari; Marcus Vinícius de Miranda (from the diocese of Ribeirão Preto, SP, and also a former Redemptorist seminarian); Noel Teixeira da Silva (a former Redemptorist resident in the Priests’ House in Jundiaí, SP); and João Batista de Almeida, spiritual director of UNESER. Their presence and sharing were greatly appreciated and thanked by all.
The former seminarians were accompanied by family and friends who, with joy and a fraternal spirit, shared in the experiences of the meeting. Throughout the three days, the atmosphere was further enriched by visits from priests, deacons, and other friends of the Redemptorist Way.
From an organizational point of view, the meeting was considered excellent, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The program was balanced, incorporating moments of welcome, prayer, reflection, fellowship, sharing, recreation, and food, in a harmonious and meaningful way. One of the most symbolic moments of the meeting was the strong bond with Saint Gerard Majella, whose 300th anniversary celebration coincided with the 30th ENESER.
Several prayers and reflections were recited in his honor, including the rosary on the Caminhar de São Geraldo (Way of Saint Gerard) and a penitential act. During these moments, some of the saint’s virtues were recalled: devoted tailor, faithful gardener, caring nurse, welcoming doorman, devoted baker, and, above all, loving protector of motherhood.
The spirituality of the meeting was also expressed in participation in the Eucharist in the National Shrine of Aparecida, preceded by the singing of “Salve Regina” on the steps, conducted by Maestro Waddington Pacheco Rangel, which was a moment of great emotion and beauty.
On Friday, the 25th, the arrival of the participants was marked by warm encounters, filled with smiles, hugs, and shared memories. The welcome, followed by prayer and singing in the chapel of Sant’Alfonso, brought back memories of an intense and spiritual experience in that place, especially for those who had spent part of their formation there.
On Saturday the 26th, after morning prayer and breakfast, a time for former seminarians and their companions to share their life experiences was held, a moment filled with strong emotions, listening, and learning. In the evening, the artistic sarau was a special moment: poems, stories, chronicles, and songs brought laughter, tears, and genuine artistic expression from several participants.
During the meeting, Father João Batista offered important and thought-provoking reflections, inviting UNESER members to follow the example of St. Alphonsus and rediscover new ways of living the mission in today’s world.
Another highlight was the presence of the Aparecida Communication Network, with the A12 newspaper team recording images and interviews. Also present was Evandro Brum, communicator of Rádio Aparecida, who prays the rosary with UNESER every Friday.
At the end of the meeting, the shared feeling was one of gratitude. As one of the participants stated, “The objectives of the 30th ENESER were fully achieved: there was a celebration of life, friendship, and Redemptorist spirituality, with particular attention to the spirituality of Saint Gerard Majella. The sense of belonging to the UNESER family was strengthened, and the commitment to the values of our formation was renewed.”
The mission of the 30th ENESER was fully achieved through the celebration of life, friendship, and Redemptorist spirituality; the strengthening of the sense of belonging to the UNESER family; and the renewal of the values of our formation, particularly the spirituality of St. Gerard.
God continues to call us, and Saint Alphonsus inspires us to continue steadfastly in our mission.
Many thanks to everyone who made this meeting possible!
José Ribeiro Leite and Vicente de Paula Alves – UNESER Brazil Communications Team
