Between January 16 and 18, 2026, 13 families of former seminarians from the Santo Afonso Seminary met in Boraceia (SP) for another gathering of fellowship, sharing, and spirituality. The moment was marked by fraternity, the joy of reunion, and the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Francisco de Assis Miguel, CSsR (Chicão), from the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Community, Sapopemba, in São Paulo-SP, who shared his experience of the initial formation with the group. On that occasion, the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, the patron saint of the Redemptorists, was displayed, and we asked for her intercession.
The families were warmly welcomed by Ricardo Palmejani and Luciana Maitan, along with Carlos Palmejani and Valéria Pinheiro, hosts who provided a simple, affectionate, and conducive environment for fellowship. The meeting, organized collaboratively by the participants themselves, aimed to strengthen family ties, friendships, and commitment to community life, and for this, we listened to some participants.
Celebrazione eucaristica a Boraceia. 
Immagine del Perpetuo Soccorso 
P. Francisco Miguel CSsR celebra la messa.
Among the participants, Tarcísio Mucciarone and Claudete Santos highlighted that the group experience, lived as if among friends and almost like a large family, generates joy, pleasure in living, and a profound sense of belonging. They also emphasized that contact with the wives of the former seminarians provides friendship, comfort, acceptance, and emotional support.
Carlos and his wife stated that they will take the experience of a fraternal, loving, and welcoming coexistence into their lives. For the couple, simple and peaceful hospitality is an essential part of the meaning of the encounter and a concrete expression of the spirituality lived.
The couple Baltazar Alves and Ana Vicencia, who participated with their two children, emphasized that each meeting, with its own theme, invites continuous reflection on spirituality, faith, and the experience of the redemptorist charism throughout life. Participating for the first time, they highlighted the strong emotion and enchantment of perceiving the continuity of the seminary’s spirituality now expressed in family life. They also reinforced that, even without having followed the priesthood, many exercise a form of spiritual fatherhood, transmitting Christian values, care, respect, and evangelization in the family environment.
José Ribeiro Leite, Director of UNESER (National Union of Former Redemptorist Seminarians of Brazil), made a point of participating with his wife Débora Fabreti and daughter Mônica Leite, so that both could understand the redemptorist “mysticism” present in their daily lives. For him, the experience in the seminary influenced his professional, social, and family life. He left the meeting renewed, with energy and motivation to continue his mission in the world, especially in education and community life. He also highlighted the enduring Redemptorist values: simplicity and missionary work.
Débora Fabreti shared the joy of always preparing for the meeting and the desire for all families to participate in future events. Her daughter’s perception revealed the connection between the group’s past and the future of new generations, showing that redemptorist spirituality is perpetuated through example. The celebratory moment was identified as a privileged space for opening the heart, authenticity, and humanity.
David Pereira Borges stated that he left the meeting with his heart full of joy and with strengthened bonds. For him, each moment lived is a lesson, impossible to describe in words, also highlighting the importance of bringing new friends, rekindling ties, and accompanying the lives of families.
Djevani Antonio, also Director of UNESER, and his wife Emilia Cristina emphasized that leaving the seminary can be understood as a change in the way of living the vocation, and not as its end. They highlighted that the closing with the traditional cry of “Long live Saint Alphonsus!” symbolizes the unity and identity that continue to define the group. Emilia also reinforced that the meeting is a welcoming space for families, strengthening the marital bond through shared spirituality.
Father Francisco de Assis Miguel, a redemptorist missionary, expressed his joy in participating in the meeting, highlighting the importance of creating time for moments of sharing like this, considered unique. He also stressed that the redemptorist identity is strengthened when the learning from the seminary is lived in the lay context, in parishes and in society. And he hopes that redemptorist families will be even closer to consecrated religious for the experience of the redemptorist spirituality.
In conclusion, it became evident that each Redemptorist gathering strengthens individuals and families in their community engagement, in the world of work, in studies, and in the pursuit of quality of life, encouraging unity and the continuity of the redemptorist journey.
Vicente de Paula Alves – UNESER
