President General delivers lecture to Vincentians of Algarve, Portugal
The event brought together about 50 SSVP members
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International, on his way to Paris for a meeting of the International Board, was invited to give a presentation to about 50 SSVP members of the Algarve region in the south of Portugal.
The event took place December 1st in Albufeira. Portugal. It was attended by the sisters Alda Couceiro (National President) and Fernanda Agapito (President of the Central Council), as well as Father Carlos Aquino, local Spiritual Advisor, and representatives and leaders of the seven local SSVP Conferences.
During the meeting, brother Renato offered a global overview of the actions and projects underway within the Council General International, highlighting the main achievements of his mandate in terms of youth, communication, transparency, management, formation and institutional relations.
The President also spoke about the imminent canonization of Antoine-Frederic Ozanam and cited examples from around the world of how Conferences act to better serve the poor. After the lecture, those present asked questions to the President General, a moment of rich dialogue and mutual learning.
“I am the one who learns the most during these events, because I can interact with everyone and, of course, learn from everyone. You have a lot to share and to teach me. I take this opportunity to thank you for the warm welcome I have had here in the Algarve”, emphasized President Lima de Oliveira.
Afterwards, all the participants posed for the official photo. A delicious snack with local delicacies followed accompanied by Portuguese folk music. Everyone considered the event surpassed all expectations and the socializing by participants was the highlight.
The President General, with the grace of God, still intends to return to Portugal in the coming months when he will visit the Azores and Madeira, as well as participate in the national pilgrimage to Fatima (April) and the International Youth Meeting of the Vincentian Family in Felgueiras (August).
