Presentation of the International Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Piety
The Basilica of the Sagrada Família was the setting for the presentation of the second International Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Piety. This event, which will be held in Seville from December 4 to 8, aims to highlight the importance of evangelization in brotherhoods as a means for the Church to spread the message of Jesus Christ to those who are not baptized or who have strayed from the faith. The brotherhoods are recognized for their devotion and for the images and activities they carry out, and this congress seeks to highlight this evangelizing dimension (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
The importance of evangelization in brotherhoods
Joaquín de la Peña, general secretary of the congress, has highlighted the need to reflect on the role of brotherhoods in a context of growing secularization. According to de la Peña, this congress is an opportunity for brotherhoods to share their experiences and problems, and to contribute to the Church of Europe at this time of change. The objective is to understand how brotherhoods can be an effective instrument of evangelization in the 21st century.
Prominent presence of representatives of the Vatican
The congress will be attended by prominent representatives of the Vatican, such as Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Cardinal José Tolentino and Cardinal Kevin Farrell. These representatives of the Church will contribute their vision on the role of popular piety in the project of evangelization and will help to deepen how brotherhoods can contribute to the transmission of the faith today.
The importance of brotherhoods in the transmission of faith
Joaquín de la Peña highlighted the fundamental role of brotherhoods in the transmission of faith, especially in a context in which family transmission has become more complex. The brotherhoods continue to be a space where faith can be transmitted naturally, through the images and explanations given to the children. This task is essential for the transmission of faith in today’s society (https://serveiseducatius.xtec.cat/alturgell/portada/recursos-pel-tractament-de-textos/).
Presentation ceremony at the Sagrada Família
The presentation of the congress at the Sagrada Família was attended by several personalities, such as the president-delegate of the Construction Board, Esteve Camps, and the director of the Diocesan Secretariat of Brotherhoods and Confraternities of Barcelona, Manuel Zamora. Representatives from Barcelona City Council and from different dioceses also attended. The event was an opportunity to thank the collaboration of all the participants and to share the congress project in such an emblematic place as the Sagrada Família.
A congress with a wide program
The congress will combine a wide cultural program, with exhibitions related to popular piety, a social work aimed at the homeless and daily cultic and liturgical celebrations. In addition, prayer vigils have been organized in the closing convents of the diocese to ensure that the fruits of the congress are beneficial for all. The congress will culminate with a procession that will include eight images of great importance for Seville and for all of Spain (https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viquip%C3%A8dia:Parafrasejat_similar).