On 6 and 7 July, the participants of Session Poitiers visited the emblematic places of Saint Damien in Belgium, accompanied by Hilde Reynders sscc. On Saturday afternoon, the group arrived at the Basilica of Our Lady of Monteagudo, the place where Father Damien had said his goodbyes to his mother as he departed for the Hawaiian Islands. There they celebrated the Eucharist, presided over by Rafael Domínguez Johnson, of the Province of Chile-Argentina. Paula Teck and Jose Vivys also took part in the celebration.
On Sunday morning the pilgrims visited Damien's birthplace-Museum in Tremelo, accompanied by Ruben Boon and Sonia Crabbe, who showed great enthusiasm and knowledge of the figure of the missionary saint. They also visited the parish church of Ninde and some of the social projects that are being carried out today inspired by Damien. Lunch took place in the social centre "De Veuster". In the afternoon, they visited the church of St. Anthony in Leuven. They were met by Ferry Tobe, sscc, the rector of the church, who gave a short history of the place. This was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist in the crypt around the tomb of Damien, presided over by Paco Piñero of the Iberian Province, with much participation and emotion on the part of the assembly. The Superior of the Delegation, Juan Carlos Tinjacá, then led the brothers and sisters to the sscc community where 6 Belgian brothers, one brother from Colombia and one Indonesian brother live.
This was followed by a delicious barbecue which turned into a feast organised by our SSCC sisters from Heverlee. Jose Vivys explained the history of this house, its past and present, and its hopes for the future. Our thanks to the sisters and the family of Hilde Reynders for having prepared this dinner with such dedication and care.
On 8 July, the group will make a day's journey on the road to Poitiers (France).
Link to the photo gallery: https://acortar.link/rQtcr2
07/08/2024