It has been almost three years since we launched CANA in this beautiful country, Portugal, encouraged by the fruitful connections we made while preparing for World Youth Day.
For the first time, we held a formation weekend for leaders. Present were the couples from the national CANA team—Ana & José, Inês & Paulo, Tony & Priscila—and another couple who had experienced CANA in France, Ana-Béla & Marco.
This visit to the country allowed us to enjoy a wonderful weekend of reflection, prayer, and sharing together: time as couples; work in small committees on the challenges facing CANA in Portugal; a presentation of the CANA year; a prayer group with specific intentions; Mass in the parish… The couples greatly appreciated this synodal process where everyone could bring their questions, suggestions, or concerns.
It was also an opportunity to formalize the change in CANA leaders in the country, following a three-year term for Ana & José. Two couples will take over: Inês & Paulo, Tony & Priscila, and are already working on the calendar for the coming pastoral year: 2 national open weekends; 2 or 3 open days in the various locations where CANA couples are present (Portimão, Porto, Viseu, Lisbon); a CANA week, in the form of CANA 4+2 or 1,2,3, CANA, or 5 full days. We also discussed holding this CANA week in Fatima, a geographically central location that is attractive to couples from Portugal.
Three years after CANA was launched in Portugal, a new chapter is beginning. This reorientation is a real challenge, and our integration into the Church is still ahead of us. A parish near Lisbon has asked to start CANA Welcome, so perhaps this small beginning will help us continue to establish CANA in this country? To be continued!
