Over the course of a few Sundays, the Archiprestado of Lamego will receive the Pastoral Visit from Mr. D. António Couto in a sequence that will take him to all parishes in the Municipality and Archiprestado.
It started in Meijinhos, a small village at the end of Arciprecido, but a jewel located in the heights that approach it in the upper part of the municipality of Lamego. Small village that preserves its Christian faith and tradition, as drivers of its life and history.
One could start with the large parishes, but that did not happen and, next to Meijinhos, is Melcões, which will be visited by our Bishop next Sunday, a parish that must be the smallest in the Archiprestado and Municipality. Suffice it to say that we have only one young woman there to receive Confirmation.
This week we are in Meijinhos, following his day-to-day life, the parish received Mr. António with faith and friendship in the churchyard next to the parish church, where he was greeted by the Parish Priest. Faith is lived there, with ancestral traditions that continue and nourish the Christian life of the parish. A practice never tried and experienced in other parishes I’ve been to, and I’ve been to seven, is praying the rosary at the end of Mass on weekdays. Mary, always present in the love of the Christians of Meijinhos, whom they do not forget in their daily lives.
Nor did they forget to welcome their Bishop with joy and friendship; the Christians approached the parish church, in order to mark their presence as soon as Mr. D. António arrived. And so it happened, without rush or delay.
After the greeting of many and the words of the Parish Priest, everyone entered the Parish Church, beautifully decorated by the ladies who dedicate themselves to this every week and, now, excelled in their work: songs, readings, all acts of the Liturgy were prepared and executed; Without delays or changes of service, the celebration of the Eucharist began, which had as an extraordinary moment the reception of Confirmation (Chrismation) by the group of young people, few in a parish/parish, which is losing many of its natives, always looking for new and better livelihoods.
But Meijinhos saw many of his natives that day; Never forgetting their homeland, they were present on this day, which was a celebration for everyone and not just for those who were going to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The small group from the Parish was enriched by some who chose Meijinhos for their Confirmation, a personal choice, which was not asked for, but was accepted with friendship.
The Lord Bishop addressed a greeting to everyone and at the appropriate moment directed his words to the love of God the Father; We were celebrating the day and feast of the Good Shepherd and the moment was right for the strong words of the celebration. From the love of Christ, the “Good Shepherd”, we reach the Father, who in Jesus shows us and gives us his love.
The moment of Confirmation arrived, as a goal of Christian life for the young people who presented themselves before their Bishop, to say their “amen”, which is not a “so be it”, but the expression of a will that must never be forgotten , always the determination expressed in everyday life.
The Choir Group supported the Eucharistic celebration, everyone sought good participation as an expression of faith in the mystery being celebrated; to this group and everyone who contributed to a good celebration of this day, a big “thank you”; and there were many, many who did so and told me; “You’ll see that you’ll be happy.” For everything and for everyone, who made an effort, worked to make this a reality on the day of the feast for those who were going to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, which is the certainty of continued faith throughout their lives. To remember him, they took his Confirmation certificate.
The Lord Bishop and his Chief of Staff, Dr. Alfredo Patrício, accompanied the Parish Priest at the lunch offered by a parishioner, Mr. António do Paço, to whom we thank the kindness and friendship of the offer. Many, many thanks to him and his Wife.
If parish life has busy, difficult days, it also has days of experienced and lived friendship; The day of the Pastoral Visit is one of those days that mark the friendship of families, of all who feel the parish as a big Family, where the Bishop is the Father and everyone feels the joy of their Faith and Friendship. This was April 21st, in Meijinhos. For this and to everyone, thank you from the Parish Priest and Parish of Meijinhos.
Father Armando Ribeiro, in Voice of Lamegoyear 94/23, no. 4751, of April 24, 2024
