Visitation to Angola by Concilium
VISITATION TO ANGOLA BY CONCILIUM
Two legionaries, Alessandro Pereira de Carvalho and Flavio Antonio da Silva, Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces Senatus, Recife, Brazil accepted the invitation of the Concilium Legionis for a mission of visitation as delegates to Our Lady of Graces Regia, Luanda, Angola from 18th June to 8th July 2013. They found it a marvellous experience to visit that Council and to see the Legion of Mary alive, active, big, strong and faithful to its beginnings. As is known, this country passed through a long period of war, but the faith, courage and determination of the legionaries was able to assure the existence of the Catholic Church in the country, according to the bishops whom they visited and contacted.
Five Dioceses, including two Archdioceses, were visited: in the Archdiocese of Malange, the birthplace of the Legion in the country, there is a Comitium, Our Lady Queen of the Missions. They visited affiliated praesidia and councils; distance is the biggest obstacle; praesidia and councils are very large and structured. They were received in audience by Archbishop Dom Benedito Roberto. In the Diocese of Ndalatando, Province of Kwanza Norte they visited a Comitium and praesidia. They were also received in audience by Dom Almeida Kanda and visited the Diocese of Cabinda where a Comitium has 17 praesidia and 24 Curiae affiliated. They also met with Bishop Dom Filomeno and took part in a meeting with the 3 junior Curiae in the diocese. They held a meeting in the Seminary with the officers of the Comitium and the Spiritual Director, Father Jose Bassansa and took part in Adoration in the Seminary Chapel with 42 seminarians.
In the Archdiocese of Luanda, they met with the Auxiliary Bishop Dom Anastacio Cohango, who was a legionary in the Seminary and also met Auxiliary Bishop Dom Zeferino Zaca Martins. The legionaries visited praesidia and councils and took part in a meeting with junior Curiae and attended the Regia and had a meeting with the Regia and council officers. It was suggested that praesidia and councils be divided so that new ones can arise and be able to continue collaborating in evangelisation. The Legion of Mary helps the country in the social health mobilisation. The jurisdiction of the Regia Our Lady of Graces coordinates 12 Dioceses and 11 provinces. As it is an extensive area, there needs to be higher councils arising to help the administration of the Legion. A large legionary meeting was held in Mulenvos, a space for legionary activities; 3,000 legionaries, more or less, came together. After the meeting, Mass was celebrated by the Spiritual Director of the Regia, Father Cândido.
The two legionaries thanked Our Lord and Our Lady for the graces to carry out the visitation, to the Concilium Legionis, to the legionaries of the Regia in Luanda and for the support of the Bishops, Priest and Religious and also for the prayers of the legionaries of Brazil.
Sile Ni Chochlain, President of the Concilium, expressed gratitude to the two legionaries and their families for releasing them to go on this mission and our appreciation of the great work undertaken by the two legionaries.
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