MONASTIC GROUPS GATHER

Father Duane, Prior of the Benedictine Monks of Mineiros, attended the National Encounter of Monastic and Contemplative Groups held at National Marian Basilica in Aparecida-São Paulo, June 16-19. The unprecedented event brought together two hundred men and women from twenty five different monastic and contemplative Orders and Congregations throughout Brazil to reflect on their mystic, identity and mission. Men and women hermits participated, as well as some benedictine oblates. Sister Eliene, superior of the Benedictine Sisters of Mineiros also participated. The event was jointly organized by the Conference of Bishops of Brazil and the Conference of Religious of Brazil. Cardinal Raymond Damascena, archbishop of Aparecida, São Paulo, welcomed the participants and presided over the opening Mass as well as the Sunday Mass, at 08hs in Marian Basilica full of pilgrims from all over Brazil and the 200 participants in the Encounter. The Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Dom Joao Braz de Aviz, participated throughout the meeting, with joy, support and encouragement. He said: "In my person feel blessed by Pope Benedict XVI." Before assuming this position in the Vatican, he was Archbishop of Brasilia. In the Marian Basilica, Sunday, he delivered the homily. On sites of the CRB and CNBB there are photos, articles and the final message (cf. www.crbnacional.org.br/Encontro National ...).