Visit of Mgr. José Lampra Cá, auxiliary bishop of Bissau, to the community

Newly baptized and confirmed members

Last Sunday, June 9, the Catholic community lived an “historical” moment with the visit of Mgr. José Lampra Cá,the auxiliary bishop of Bissau, who administered the sacraments of baptism and confirmation to some of our membres.  The church was packed with parishioners and friends who didn’t want to lose the opportunity.

Lady Olympia's children (all of them orphans)

For the occasion the community decided to join three events: the celebration of the saint patron of the community (the Holy Trinity), the administration of the two sacraments and the visit of the bishop to the community. As to the celebration of the sacraments, three soldiers of the ECOMIB force, belonging to the Nigerian Contingent in Guinea-Bissau, who had followed catechism in the barracks, were also able to receive the sacrament of confirmation. 

The bishop was marked by the “lively” celebration and the generosity of the faithful who offered him a cow (with many other gifts which were given to the parish).

The event was sealed with a typical Nigerian lunch, based on “fufu” and cow meat. 

The pope of the poor

The new pope's name is Francis. A highly symbolic name, since - as he said to the journalists in his first press conference - it is related to St. Francis of Assisi, known as the saint of brotherhood, of reconciliation, of “Lady Poverty”. He has already marked history with his unconformity and simplicity. For example, he chose a silver ring (instead of the gold one, as it is usual) for his papacy, he is wearing his own “tiara” and very simple shoes. Little by little he is bringing about a reform inside the Vatican. We should pray for him and help him in this difficult task of renewing the Church. From the inside, as St. Francis did in his time. 

The community celebrates the Holy Family feast

It's customary for the Holy Trinity community to celebrate the Holy Family with a certain solemnity, since it's the feast of our Family in Christ. As usual, we met under the trees for a community lunch, together with the spiritual assistants of our community: fr. Celso, fr. Renato, fr. Andrew, fr. Domingos. The new parish-priest of the parish of Bra (fr. Jorge Falcao) paid us a short visit, encouraging us to go ahead and giving us his blessing.