Did you know that Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima started in a temporary house? This wasn’t just any house. It belonged to Dr. Carvalho Neto. He kindly lent it.
In 1964 church leaders decided a major seminary was needed. They wanted to avoid students studying abroad in Italy. The Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima became the solution. A search for suitable land began. Prior-o-Velho became the temporary location in 1967. The Superior Provincial and students moved there. They attended classes at ISET in Lisbon.
Finally, a spot was chosen in Alfragide. It sat atop a small hill. Construction began in the summer of 1967. The Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima officially opened November 29 1969. Now the Congregation had a complete educational cycle in Portugal. There was a minor seminary in Funchal and Porto for basic education. Coimbra had the middle school. Aveiro hosted the Novitiate. And here in Lisbon, the Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima offered philosophical and theological studies.
ISET closed in October 1975. Religious students then started attending the Catholic University of Portugal in Lisbon. The Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima also took on local pastoral care. The Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon requested this. The surrounding area was sparsely populated then. Today it is densely populated. For years the seminary’s chapel served Alfragide parish. The parish was created in 1986. It was formed from part of Damaia Parish. A new parish church was dedicated in 2010. D. José Policarpo Patriarch of Lisbon officiated.
In 2007 the Seminário Nossa Senhora de Fátima underwent significant renovations. A specific area became the Spirituality Center. It hosts groups and training events. It promotes pastoral gatherings. The center shares Dehonian values. Father Paulo Coelho leads the Spirituality Center. Father Joaquim António manages lodging and finances. Other members of the seminary community help with initiatives.
The Spirituality Center provides diverse activities. These include prayer celebration and spiritual life. It offers devotion pilgrimage formation and study. Social action and volunteer work are included. Retreats during Advent Lent and the Feast of the Sacred Heart are popular. There are two-day retreats and retreats for consecrated individuals. Spiritual direction and confession are available. Study days focus on Father Dehon and the Sacred Heart. Training is provided for pastoral agents. Devotions include First Fridays and First Saturdays.
Vocational meetings occur. There are meetings for acolytes. Preparation for Confirmation is offered. Prayer vigils are held. The Rosary is prayed in October and May. Sunday Mass takes place here. Lectio Divina is practiced during Advent and Lent. Support is given to the homeless. The Feast of Missions is celebrated in October. Dehonian Afternoon occurs in March. Benefactors Feast is in May. There is a walking pilgrimage to Fátima. Missionary volunteer work is organized. Thematic conferences and publications are available.
The Dehonian dimension is evident. Religious Dehonians are consistently present. The reflections inspire initiatives. The identity of Dehon is promoted. His writings are shared. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is encouraged. Marian devotion is practiced. Social initiatives are undertaken. Love and service to the Church are priorities. Lay involvement is strong. The Spirituality Center aims to continue its pastoral work. It wants to develop spiritual exercises based on Dehonian spirituality. It continues to share Dehonian spirituality through translations and studies. The center promotes programs for young people. These align with the World Youth Day 2023 program.