Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Marilia (Agenzia Fides) - The 1st Meeting of missionary formation for seminarians (Formise) was held at the auditorium of the Theological Institute, Queen of Apostles (Itra) in Marilia (SP), the ecclesiastical province of Botucatu (Araçatuba, Assis, Bauru, Botucatu, Lins, Marília, Ourimbah and Presidente Prudente), from 29 April to 1 May, and brought together 45 seminarians.
The theme of the meeting was "The Continental Mission." The meeting was led by National Secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, Father Savio Corinaldesi, and by the Regional Coordinator of the Missionary Council (COMIRE) of the sub-region of Botucatu, father Everton Aparecido, and by the psychologist, Dr. Alessandra Faria.
During the meeting, Father Savio said that the objective of the event was to "help the seminarians of the sub-region of Botucatu to acquire the missionary dimension of the universal Christian vocation and priesthood." The seminarians prepared a cultural evening with representations on the mission, and a celebration of coexistence.
"The human-emotional maturity as a condition for the training of the mission and the experience in the community reality " were the points discussed by the psychologist Alessandra Faria. "Like Jesus, to become the Christ, accepted and assumed the mission to die for humanity, you as seminarians cannot be afraid to take the mission in your life," said the psychologist in her presentation. Then the seminarians were involved in group work, reflecting and exchanging experiences among themselves.
The note sent to Agenzia Fides reports that in the Eucharistic celebration of the opening of the meeting, the Bishop of Marilia (SP), Mgr. Osvaldo Giuntini, told the seminarians that their vocation should be a real encounter with Jesus, and they should be willing to give their lives for the Kingdom of God, with his protection and his help. During the Mass a letter from the Bishop in charge of the Regional Missionary Council (COMIRE), Bishop Vicente Costa, Diocesan Bishop of Jundiai (SP) was read, which calls for "a fruitful meeting and wishes seminarians "to truly become missionary priests and work with a missionary vocation in all environments, areas and regions of this vast country.” (EC) (Agenzia Fides 05/04/2011)
