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22.08.2017 01:52:32 454x read. OASIS Oasis Gathering 2017, Report first day 20 August. Oasis Gathering 2017 Maastricht Report first day 20 August
In his opening address, the General Superior, Bro. Martinus Handoko emphasized again the importance of this Oasis gathering as a "congregational movement which is supposed to bear abundant fruit for the persons involved and for the whole Congregation. The encounter is a way of continuing our religious formation. Our vocation requires us to continue developing ourselves spiritually. Through formal and informal interactions we also wish to receive and give mutual support, inspiration and encouragement".
The opening prayer was attended by a number of FIC Brothers and friends of FIC from The Netherlands. At the time of starting this encounter, we were still expecting a participant from Malawi who was experiencing visa problems and another from Indonesia. Chile province did not send a representative due to their limited number and the fact that most of them have taken part in this spiritual journey the years before. The prayer service ended with the singing of "Salve Regina" in honour of our Mother Mary, after which all were invited for dinner. The brother-participants, who arrived four days earlier, felt relaxed and ready for the journey ahead of them. There was a friendly atmosphere among them in spite of the language barrier between some. They are all looking forward to a fruitful and rewarding encounter.
By Bro. Raphael Besigrinee, General Council |