Bishop Saiz Meneses: Brotherhoods are called to be schools of holiness

The Archbishop of Seville (Spain), Bishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses, has expressed that the Second International Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Piety reminds us that “brotherhoods are called to be schools of holiness.”

In this sense, he added that “each gesture of service and each charitable project is an invitation to grow in virtue, strengthen the ties of fraternity and walk together towards the fullness of Christian life.”

The prelate also indicated at the closing of the congress that was held throughout last week, that the brotherhoods are called “to play a fundamental role in the construction of the Kingdom of God”, offering a model “of communion and fraternity that responds to the deep needs of belonging and human encounter” in a world marked by individualism.

For the archbishop, the brotherhoods, promoters of popular piety, constitute “repositories of a rich tradition”, while they are “active protagonists of an evangelization that looks towards the future”, building bridges between faith and life and being a reflection of a Church on the way out, at the service of humanity.”

Seven practical conclusions from the congress

The Archbishop of Seville summarized all the contributions made throughout the congress in seven practical conclusions:

1. Rediscover the transforming gaze of God.

2. To be “a living reflection of ecclesial communion, rooted in Christ.”

3. Contemplate “the divine mystery as a source of sanctification”, in such a way that the liturgy is understood as “the act of praise that makes possible growth in holiness and ecclesial communion.”

4. Need to “be leaven in the middle of the world” with a “courageous testimony” of the Gospel in contemporary society.”

5. We must “make the love of God present among his people,” responding to concrete needs through “a new imagination of charity.”

6. It is clear that “Christian formation must be a priority of the brotherhoods.”

7. Need to promote the creation of “an observatory as a space for permanent study and reflection on popular piety.”

As a finishing touch to the II Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Piety, an extraordinary procession took place through the streets of Seville that began at 4 p.m. on Sunday (local time) and concluded at dawn on Monday.