A group of 30 people (22 lay people and 8 brothers) from the German Province headed away early morning on Saturday, 11th May, for Tremelo, Belgium. To mark the 10th anniversary of Damian's canonisation, we were seeking to find renewed enthusiasm for our lives as followers of Jesus in Damien’s birthplace and at his tomb. On the bus journey between Colonia and Tremolo, Heinz Josef Catrein, SSCC gave a very vivid account of Damien’s life that was enriched with many quotations from his letters and contemporary accounts about him. The visit to the museum in Damien’s birthplace was another memorable moment: here in this place, where Damien was born and grew up we felt very close to Damien. The first day finished with the eucharist which we celebrated in the crypt, in front of the tomb of Damien. In his reflective homily, the provincial focused on ‘Silence - Recollection - Prayer’, words that Damien had engraved into his school desk. A contemplative attitude opens us up to the concreteness of daily life and allows us to experience the presence of the Risen One who transforms and gives life. This truly festive day ended with us splitting up for dinner at different restaurants in Leuven.
On Sunday, 12th May, we celebrated the Eucharist with the Flemish brothers of the Sint Antoniusberg community who invited us to join them for a cocktail after Mass. On the way back home, a final stop was made at the sanctuary of Scherpenheuvel.
05/20/2019