Province of Spain – Meeting of the Associates “AGMONT”
On the 1st of October a meeting of AGMONT took place in our country house (Can Xic), in the middle of nature. This meeting replaced the one that should have been held in June as the end of the 2022-23 school year.
Due to the pandemic, the associates had not been able to meet for two years. It was only on the occasion of the feast of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, at the end of April 2022, that some associates were able to attend the conference that the Grignion de Montfort Society has the custom of organizing on the occasion of our Founder’s feast day.
The members were certainly looking forward to a day of conviviality, exchanging hugs and experiences. Although the attendance was quite large, there were some absences, some due to age or illness and others for personal reasons. We all deeply regretted it.
The morning was spent taking part in various activities and games, such as petanque, cards, parcheesi, etc. Others took advantage of the morning to go for a walk in the beautiful nature, as it was a wonderful day.
Lunch, perfectly prepared by the organisers of the meeting, was an important moment of conviviality, to continue sharing experiences. The after-dinner conversation was also significantly long and enjoyable.
The afternoon was quieter. However, the conversation did not let up until the time of the Eucharist, which we celebrated in the open air, in an unbeatable setting. Before the celebration of the Holy Mass, Mrs Raquel Torres, one of the organisers and head of the Association, handed out to those present, especially to the new members, an information sheet about what the Association is and what it means in terms of collaboration in the activities carried out by the Association. He insisted, above all, on personal commitment.
Brother Faustino Besa, who finished his mandate as Provincial on 30th June, then introduced Brothers Robert Stanislas, from the Republic of Congo (Africa), and Marreddy Thirumalareddy, from Hyderabad (India), who had recently arrived from their respective countries, to form part of the International Community, located in the residence of Saint Gabriel School in Sant Adrià de Besòs. Brother Genaro Fresno, the new Provincial of Spain, also took the opportunity to introduce himself, to welcome the two brothers who had recently joined the International Community and to thank them for their fraternal willingness to leave their countries and come to our country on evangelical mission. He also took the opportunity to thank Brother Faustino for the services carried out in the Province of Spain during his two terms as Provincial. Bro. Genaro ended his speech by inviting those present to pray a decade of the Rosary, following one of the methods promoted by St. Louis Mª de Montfort and asking our good Mother for her protection for the new school year that has just begun.
After the speeches, the Eucharist began, officiated by Brother Faustino, which was considered a heartfelt farewell, since he has been assigned to the community of La Aguilera. In his homily he was able to get the participants to express what the Word of God had suggested to them. The celebration developed in the silence, peace and tranquillity that such an event requires.
Before saying goodbye, the organisers were kind enough to invite us to some sweets, accompanied by genuine cava from Sant Sadurní de Noya. It was the perfect finale to a meeting that everyone had been looking forward to for so long. Hugs and good wishes for the new school year flowed profusely. We toasted to our friendship and made an appointment for the next meeting which will take place at the end of October.