A Significant Event
The last days of January witnessed an intense meeting between more than a hundred priests in Premià de Dalt, within the framework of the 60th Conference on Pastoral Questions of Castelldaura. Organized by the Rosselló Priestly Center, linked to Opus Dei, these conferences sought to delve deeper into the theme of the Jubilee of Hope.
An Inspiring Motto
With the motto ‘Hope Bearers: Living the ordained ministry today, a source of hope’, participants explored how their ministry can be a vehicle for spiritual and emotional renewal in a world that often feels disconnected.
Presentations and Reflections
The sessions began with a welcome address by Ignasi Pujol, Vicar of Opus Dei in Catalonia and Andorra. The presentations included contributions from experts such as Fr. Stephen Langridge, who addressed ‘pastoral conversion from hope’, and psychiatrist Carlos Chiclana, who encouraged priests to value small actions that foster mental health and hope among their parishioners.
Dialogues and Shared Experiences
One of the highlights was the lunch shared with the Cardinal of Barcelona, Joan Josep Omella, which provided a space for reflection and informal dialogue among the priests.
A Day Full of Knowledge
The second day was equally rich in content, with the intervention of Jordi Pujol, professor at the University of the Holy Cross in Rome, who addressed the communication of hope in times of crisis. Pilar Lacorte, from the Institute of the Family at UIC Barcelona, shared the importance of family support as a foundation of hope. Carles Bosch, Youth Delegate of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, focused his intervention on the glass generation, which seeks life models that provide meaning.
Promoting Hope in Difficult Times
Cristina Monforte, co-director of the WeCare Chair at UIC Barcelona, closed the day with a reflection on how to promote hope among the sick, in a context where euthanasia is becoming a controversial issue.
A Transformative Experience
Ignasi Pujol summarized the experience as an opportunity to revitalize priestly commitment, highlighting the importance of rediscovering values such as silence and effort, as well as focusing on what really matters in life.