Puente la Reina, Spain. – Set against the historic and spiritual backdrop of Puente la Reina, Dehonian Bishops have been gathered since the evening of April 26, 2026, under the theme: "Pastors Among the Blessed." A look back at the highlights of the first working day.
Out of the 24 Dehonians currently serving in episcopal roles worldwide, 13 were able to travel to Puente la Reina, where their meeting with the General Administration of the Priests of the Sacred Heart is being held until April 30. After an initial gathering in Madrid on Sunday, April 26, the Bishops traveled together to Puente la Reina, accompanied by the Provincial Superior of Spain, Fr. Juan José Arnaiz Ecker, SCJ. Upon their arrival, following solemn vespers at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, they received a warm welcome from the nuns, marked by traditional songs and dances that highlighted the international character of their community.
At the Heart of History and Charism
Monday, April 27, marked the official start of the working sessions. The day began with a time of prayer in the church of the Dehonian community of Puente la Reina—a location of singular historical significance as an essential stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago).
Once in the session hall, the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suarez, SCJ, delivered introductory remarks in which he thanked the Bishops for their presence. He briefly traced the origins of these international meetings (Brazil in 1999, Rome in 2013 and 2018), before detailing the objective of this 2026 edition:
“We have invited you to gather here so that we too, like pilgrims, may approach the place where the remains of Blessed Juan Maria de la Cruz (+1936) rest. It is no coincidence that we formulated this invitation under the title: ‘Pastors Among the Blessed.’ We conceived it this way to give thanks to God, together, for the 25th anniversary of the beatification of our first Blessed.”
The Superior General also shared the joy regarding the future beatification of another member of the Congregation, Fr. Martino Capelli, SCJ (+1944), scheduled for September 27 in Bologna. This upcoming event inspired the phrasing “…Among the Blessed” as the context for “this meeting which, furthermore, is part of the Dehonian Jubilee (2024–2028),” he specified.
Continuing this reflection, the Provincial of Spain, Fr. Juan José, presented a report titled “Between Two Blessed,”delving into the lives of these two Dehonian martyrs and the context of their sacrifice.
Sharing Experiences and Synodality
The majority of the day was dedicated to an exercise in listening and synodality: the sharing of experiences by the presiding Bishops. This roundtable discussion highlighted diverse pastoral realities and the challenges faced on the ground.
It emerged that spiritual renewal through Eucharistic adoration constitutes an “unprecedented treasure” for these pastors in their episcopal service. Other fundamental aspects of Dehonian spirituality were discussed, such as availability (disponibilité), love, and oblation.
The Bishops who shared their testimonies during this session include:
- Most Rev. José Alfredo Caires de Nobrega, SCJ – Bishop of Mananjary, Madagascar.
- Most Rev. André Vital Félix da Silva, SCJ – Bishop of Limoeiro do Norte, Brazil.
- Most Rev. Zolile Peter Mpambani, SCJ – Archbishop of Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- Most Rev. Manuel Neto Quintas, SCJ – Bishop of Algarve, Portugal.
- Most Rev. Vilsom Basso, SCJ – Bishop of Imperatriz, Brazil.
- Most Rev. Ronilton Souza de Araújo, SCJ – Bishop of São Raimundo Nonato, Brazil.
- Most Rev. Wilson Tadeu Jönck, SCJ – Archbishop of Florianópolis, Brazil.
Visit to Puente la Reina
The day concluded on a cultural and fraternal note. Guided by Father Pedro Iglesias, SCJ, Superior of the local community, the Bishops walked through the historic streets of Puente la Reina. This visit served to link Spanish heritage with the spiritual legacy of the Camino de Santiago, bringing an intense and fruitful first day of work to a close.
