This January, the Superior General, Javier Álvarez-Ossorio, made a brief visit to Madrid and Barcelona (Spain). On 25 January he was in Madrid to preside over the closing Mass of the 50th anniversary of the parish of the Sacred Hearts. The Eucharist, which involved about 600 people, was concelebrated by Enrique Losada, provincial superior, Antonio Arroyo, Archpriest, some of the older priests who had worked in the parish and those who are working there today. Osvaldo Aparicio is now the parish priest.
From Madrid, Javier went to Barcelona to know the presence of the Congregation there, where there is a community of brothers working in the Church of the Sacred Hearts, in the Sacred Hearts’ Father Damien College, and Llar Trovada Center that welcomes young people in situations of exclusion.
On 26 January, after the morning prayer with the community of Religious of the Sacred Hearts, Javier met with residents and educators in Llar Trobada. He then gave an interview to Radio Estel of the Diocese of Barcelona. From there, he went on to the College, where he was received by the director, Josep Menargues. He spent the day in the college, meeting the various components of the educational community: dialogue with students in the auditorium, food in the dining room of teachers, tour of the new facilities in the center, meeting with the management team, meeting with the faculty in the hall, and Eucharist with the teachers, students and parents. The College currently has about 1200 students.
At various times throughout the day, Javier appreciated the help that the College give to "Tondisa Ebale" training center in Kinshasa, where he has worked as a missionary for years. He also explained why the Congregation dedicates this year of 2015 to Blessed Eustaquio.
01/28/2015