Approximately 50 members of the Secular Branch of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts from eight Latin American countries participated in the tenth edition of ELARS (Latin American Meeting of the Secular Branch), held between April 16th and 20th at the São José Retreat House. The meeting included moments of prayer, reflection, and a great exchange of experiences.

Maria Regina was born in Rio de Janeiro, but has lived in Paraguay for 50 years. She, who has been participating in the Paraguayan Secular Branch for 28 years, remembers the first meeting in 2001 in Peru. For Regina, the emotion was twofold: "Besides seeing my brothers and sisters from other countries again, I have the great satisfaction of returning to Brazil for the first ELARS held here," she commented.

Peruvian Juan Carlos, who has also participated in all editions of ELARS, was delighted with the organization of the event, which took care to promote everything in Spanish: “we felt much more welcomed by the Brazilians and this made us rethink future meetings to also welcome our Portuguese-speaking brothers and sisters.” Juan emphasized that these moments are essential for coexistence and for growing together with autonomy within the Congregation.

Lay people also experienced the Holy Week celebrations. The religious ceremonies were led by Father Vinicius Maciel, SS.CC, who also gave a lecture to the participants, all in two languages. The lay people also visited the Sanctuary of Health and Peace, watched the Passion Play, and visited the Father Eustáquio Memorial and Museum.

The OX ELARS event had as its theme: “Equality of the Baptized in the Diversity of the Mission.” The event also celebrated 100 years of the presence of the Sacred Hearts in Brazil.