QUITO – Since March 9, 2026, the city of Quito has become the nerve center of the Dehonian family. Representatives from numerous entities of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus have gathered from across the globe to celebrate the second stage of the Dehonian Jubilee, following last year’s events in Saint-Quentin and Brussels.
An Opening Between Spirituality and Culture
The festivities began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, serving as the spiritual starting point for this time of encounter and remembrance. This moment of prayer was followed by a welcome dinner designed as a space for conviviality.
Ecuador’s cultural identity was showcased throughout the evening. Quiteño musician Jorge Carrera accompanied the meal with local pieces before making way for the artistic group Virgen del Quinche. Through a performance of traditional dance, the group offered participants an immersion into the country’s cultural roots, strengthening the atmosphere of joy and fraternity characterizing this gathering.
Reflections
Following these moments of fraternal encounter, the Jubilee entered its reflection phase with the first day of conferences. The religious participants were invited to meditate on the history, charism, and current relevance of the Congregation.
Three major interventions marked the first day’s debates:
- Father Carlos Luis Suárez addressed the theme of “creative fidelity” to the charism, calling for the adaptation of the founder’s legacy to contemporary challenges.
- Father José Agostinho Sousa revisited the social commitment inseparable from the figure of Father Leo Dehon.
- Father Emerson Ruiz traced the beginnings of the Dehonian mission in Ecuador, recalling why Quito remains a symbolic and historical site for the Congregation.
The second day featured three more presentations:
- “Forming with the Heart: Discernment of the Kingdom in Fr. Dehon’s Formative Mission,” by Father Renato Vieira.
- “The Family in Fr. Dehon’s Work ‘Social Catechism’,” by Father Emerson Ruiz.
- “Fr. Dehon as Missionary in Social Apostolate Writings: Roman Conferences and Contemporary Challenges,” by Father Lukasz Grezjda.
With many more interviews to come, the upcoming days promise to be even more engaging. Thus, the 2026 Jubilee continues in a dynamic of sharing, inviting every member to revisit their roots to better envision the future of the mission.
Follow all presentations live on our YouTube Channel:
