José Ángel Saiz Meneses is the new Archbishop of Seville.The II International Congress of Brotherhoods will bring together in the Andalusian capital more than 1,800 congress participants, of which 60 percent come from the archdiocese of Seville, and the rest are distributed among other Spanish dioceses and countries and areas with a brotherhood tradition: iberoamericanThe event was attended by a delegation from the Azores, Italians, Belgians, Dutch, Germans, Americans, Swiss and other nationalities, including a delegation from the Azores.
The first congress took place in the Cathedral of Seville from October 27 to 31, 1999, and culminated with the canonical coronation of the image of María Santísima de la Estrella.
Letter from Pope Francis
– Supernatural Letter The Pope's letter has been addressed in Latin to his special envoy to the CongressEdgar Peña Parra, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. In it, Francis writequoting St. John Paul II at the beginning, that "it is necessary for Mother Church to continue to evangelize once again through the confraternities, which bring to all the light, redemption and grace of the Savior" (International Jubilee of Brotherhoods, April 1, 1984).
"We are convinced that the popular piety of our time is a very effective evangelizing force for men and women (...).Evangelii gaudium126)," continues the Pontiff, "who transmits 'a thirst for God that only the poor and simple can know. He makes generosity and sacrifice capable of even heroism when it is a matter of manifesting the faith' (St. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 48)".
"The Gospel sustains our hearts."
The text also expresses the Pope's joy for the celebration of the congress: "Encouraged by the awareness that the Gospel nourishes or sustains our hearts, and committed to the study of the needs of the whole Church, we rejoice especially for the II International Congress of brotherhoods and popular piety that, precisely on the silver anniversary of its first celebration, will be held in the glorious city of Seville next December".
Archbishop of Seville: "to bring Christ to men and women".
The Archbishop of Seville, Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Menesesdedicated his sunday letter The first Sunday of Advent, entitled 'Walking in Hope', was inaugurated with a concert in the cathedral of Seville by the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.
In the text, the Archbishop of Seville explains that ".the brotherhoods are called to enter into a profound dialogue with the men and women of today in order to bring Christ into their lives; a dialogue founded on a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, which is expressed in the encounter with their brothers and sisters. This must be their true soul, and their very identity, which presupposes a decisive dedication to evangelization and to the pastoral work of the Church".
In the same line, he adds that "the brotherhoods must offer a credible testimony of living the fraternity that gives them their name". At the same time, he insists on "the call to be beacons of charity in the midst of a world full of lights, shadows and challenges".
Programming, Eucharist
According to the organizers, the program of this international meeting has undergone some variations with respect to its initial configuration, due to the December 8 Consistory in Rome.
Nine lectures, three round tables and the celebration of the Eucharist at the end of each of the four sessions of the congress is the general outline of the congress. program. Salvatore Fisichella, Pro Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who will be introduced by the Bishop of Malaga, Jesús Catalá.
Afterwards, presentations will be given by Cardinals Kevin J. Farrell, presented by Reyes Muñiz Grijalvo; Marcello Semeraro, presented by the Bishop of Cadiz-Ceuta, Rafael Zornoza; and José Tolentino de Mendonça, presented by the Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernández.
Edgar Peña Parra; the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain, Monsignor Bernardito Auza; the Archbishop of Valladolid and President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Luis Argüello; the Archbishop of Granada, Monsignor José María Gil Tamayo; and on the 8th, at the closing ceremony, the Archbishop of Seville, Monsignor Saiz Meneses.
– Supernatural Social Work of the congress will go to the homeless in the context of the intervention of Caritas Diocese of Seville, and "will last over time," say the organizers.
La Macarena receives the Golden Rose
Yesterday, Tuesday, the Blessed Virgin of Hope, popularly known as the Macarena, received the Golden Rose Edgar Peña, in the presence of the Archbishop of Seville and numerous authorities. The ceremony was accompanied by the Polyphonic Choir of the Macarena Brotherhood.
The Golden Rose is an exclusive gift given by pontiffs to express reverence to the Virgin Mary. It has ancient roots and symbolizes the papal blessing. The tradition dates back to Pope Leo IX, who established it in 1049. It is made of silver with gold plating and represents a rose bush with flowers, buds and leaves, all placed in a silver vase in Renaissance style and with the papal coat of arms.
