The Portuguese Delegation Celebrates Father de Montfort

JUNQUEIRA, Portugal - On April 28, 2025, the Montfortian community of Junqueira, Diocese of Braga, and the respective parish welcomed the Montfort Missionaries of the Portuguese Delegation to celebrate the Feast of Saint Louis Mary together.

First, in memory of Father William REINDERS (1942-1976), a Dutch Montfortian missionary in Portugal, they visited his tomb in the Junqueira cemetery.

The solemn and festive Eucharist in the parish church, presided over by the Superior of the Delegation, Father Carlos VIEIRA, SMM, was concelebrated by the Montfortian priests and other priests of the diocese who wished to share our joy.

The parish choir enriched the celebration, which was attended by many members of the parish community. The Mass—as the presiding officer put it—was experienced as it would have been in Montfort's time, by candlelight, as it coincided almost entirely with a power outage!

The confreres of the local community, Frs. Delfim TEXEIRA and Manuel VIEIRA, were excellent hosts, offering a warm welcome, including a visit to the Boavista Farm (of the Montfort Missionaries). We were accompanied that day by Fr. Efrem ASSOLARI (Italian), and the visiting ladies Maria and Anna, who greatly enjoyed sharing this event.