We live together with Jairo, who is the parish priest of San Vicente de Paul, in the nearby neighborhood of Porvenir, and who is also in charge of the pre-postulate where Robinson, José and Pedro have begun a four month community experience this Saturday.

In the house opposite, the novices Christián and Carlos (both Colombians), Raidel (from Cuba) have begun their second semester with the greatest joy. They are being accompanied by Jorge (from Brazil). In our third house, the scholastics Roberto (a lay brother from Mexico), Arieski (from Cuba) and Álvaro (from Colombia) are preparing for the next semester in theology. Bernardo, currently spending two months in France, is in charge of their accompaniment.

 The fourth scholastic, Justino (from Congo Kinshasa) has finished his studies and has undertaken pastoral work in Santa María de la Rivera (in Bogotá). Justino is part of a team including Pedro (from Colombia) and Bob Newman (from the United States). Bob will spend the holidays with his family, then will go to France for medical treatment.

Ordination

On July 31st in Minas Gerais, our brother Júlio César Caetano was ordained priest, with Bishop Tarcísio Nascente dos Santos imposing his hands on him. Júlio César chose the following sentence as his motto: “There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me.” (Ph 4,13). The ordination ceremony will take place in the church of Nossa senhora Aparecida, located in the town of Limas de Igaratinga, in the diocese of Divinópolis. May God enlighten the journey of our brother Júlio.

Postulate

Young Jailson has begun his postulate in our congregation. He is currently working in a shop selling religious items called “Canção Nova” and is living with his pals from the parish of Nossa Senhora do Rosário. He has completed his philosophy course and is enjoying his being among us. May God enlighten his years of training.

The first news we are giving you have already spread around the world, but we wish to underline them because of their significance. Namely, the “successful” intervention of the Cardinal Archbishop of Havana in favour of the” women in white” (the wives and daughters of “conscientious objectors”). They had been marching for years silently, every Sunday after mass, on a large avenue in Havana, asking for their relatives to be freed. A few weeks ago, the police tried to sop the demonstration by force. Our Cardinal personally intervened before the government for those women to be respected… And on the following Sunday, the “demonstration” was allowed. This was truly amazing, after 50 years since the beginning of Castro’s rule!

The second event was the “historic” encounter between Cardinal Jaime – accompanied by Archbishop Dionisio, head of the Cuban Bishops’ Conference – and Raúl Castro. The meeting lasted “more than four hours” and was seen as positive on both sides. There should be a sequel to that…

 The formula of profession:

 As given by Father Anizan is the following : Resolved to carry the cross and to follow Jesus Christ, my divine Master, I make to God and in your hands for all may life, the vows of poverty, chastety and obedience in teh Congregation of the Sons of Charity, according to its Constitutions.