From August 3 to 6, the Meeting of Confreres with up to Ten Years of Priestly Ordination of the Redemptorist Province of Brasilia took place in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. This was a formative event for the Province’s youngest priests. Twenty-four confreres gathered under the theme “New Fathers, in the Exercise of Leadership, in the Footsteps of the Redeemer.”
A first day of welcome and prayer
The meeting began on August 3rd, in an atmosphere marked by fraternity, prayer, and renewed missionary zeal. Participants were warmly welcomed by the local Redemptorist community, whose hospitality manifested the joy of fraternal communion from the very first moment. In the afternoon, the confreres enjoyed a city tour of Natal, discovering the historical, cultural, and religious richness of a city deeply marked by the faith of its people.
The Opening Mass
The meeting officially inaugurated with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Most Rev. Geraldo Freire, Bishop of the Diocese of Iguatu, and concelebrated by the Provincial Superior, Fr. João Paulo Santos, C.Ss.R., Most Rev. Jaime Vieira Rocha, Archbishop Emeritus of Natal, and the confreres participating in the meeting.
In his homily, Fr. João Paulo recalled that the priestly ministry must remain rooted in hope, especially in times of uncertainty and difficulty: a hope that is not based on superficial optimism, but on fidelity to the Gospel, capable of strengthening the disciple’s heart and keeping his gaze fixed on Christ.
At the end of the celebration, Monsignor Jaime Vieira Rocha addressed those present with a paternal exhortation, inviting them to remain faithful to the history they have received and to honor, with their lives and ministry, the testimony of their brothers who preceded them in service to the Gospel, with generosity, perseverance and love for the Church.
The day concluded in an atmosphere of great fraternal joy, with a beautiful welcome prepared by the parish community, a concrete expression of Christian hospitality and the communion that sustains the missionary journey.
Leadership, challenges and listening
During the meeting, several speakers addressed key issues for the life and apostolate of young priests: Fr. João Paulo Santos, C.Ss.R., offered a reflection on the service of leadership in priestly life in the image of the Redeemer; Fr. José Freitas Campos, of the Archdiocese of Natal, shared a moment of dialogue on the challenges and hopes of young priests in exercising leadership; psychologist Priscila Bezzeril addressed the issue of authoritarianism and moral harassment in priestly life.
The Superior General, Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R., also participated in the meeting with a brief speech.
Gratitude and a look to the future
The participants expressed gratitude to the meeting coordinators, Fr. Eurípedes Júnior, C.Ss.R., Fr. Geovâneo Lima, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Jefferson Murilo, C.Ss.R., for their leadership and organization of the event. They wished every blessing to the confreres elected to lead the next meeting: Fr. Antônio Luis, C.Ss.R., Fr. Francisco Vanderlê, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Francisco Wallenstein, C.Ss.R.
The 2027 edition of the meeting will be held from July 19 to 22 in São Luís, Maranhão.
May Christ the Redeemer continue to sustain our ministry, so that, steadfast in hope and persevering in charity, we may be faithful witnesses of the Gospel wherever we are sent.
Source: Facebook page of the Redemptorist Province of Brasília,
Posts written by Fr. Jean Carlos, C.Ss.R. and Fr. Antoniel, C.Ss.R.
