Sodalitium begins its V General Assembly with Spiritual Exercises

Aparecida, 01/14/19 (Sodalitium News – Brasil). The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae’s V General Assembly began on January 6th with a Holy Mass inside the Capela das Confissões in the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora Aparecida (Brasil). The Lord’s Epihany Mass was presided by Mons. Noel Londoño, Commissary Apostolic for the Sodalitium, and concelebrated by Fr. Guillermo Rodríguez, Assistant Commisary Apostolic, Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Adviser for the General Assembly and over 30 sodalit priests.

Mons. Londoño, Commissary Apostolic for the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae with Fr. Guillermo Rodríguez and Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda during the V General Assembly’s inaugural Mass

After the Eucharist all of the Assembly members headed to the Pousada do Bom Jesus, located near the Sanctuary, where they participated of a seven day silent Spiritual Exercises.
The retreat was based on Saint Ignatius’ discernment rules and was directed by Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda.

Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Director of the Spiritual Exercises talking to the Sodalitium’s Assembly members

Each day has included moments of personal prayer, biblical meditation, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and ended with the praying of Compline. Fr. Ghirlanda also dedicated some of his time during the retreat to talk personally with several of the participants.
We thank you all for your prayers. We ask that you please keep accompanying us in this next two weeks as the work of the V General Assembly continues.

Assembly members at Holy Mass during the Spiritual Exercises

The Sanctuary of Aparecida is home of the veneered image of Our Lady Aparecida, who in 1717 was found (split in two) by humble fishermen in the river Paraíba in the State of São Paulo. The locals started to gather there weekly to pray the Rosary and little by little popular piety grew. When miracles happens, the devotion grew even more and eventually Our Lady Aparecida became patroness of Brasil. Nowadays the Sanctuary is visited by over twelve million faithtful a year.