THIRD ORDER CONGRESS (and return to India)

JULY 24

The evening before, I took these pictures to showcase the hard work that goes into the making of a mammoth event like the Congress. Almost 800 participants registered. That's huge for catering and other logistics.

JULY 25

Dawn arrived. Such a beautiful sight! I was excited to be going at last to the much hyped event that the Heralds community host every year. People from all over the world come to Sao Paulo and to Tabor for it. I was honoured that God - and Dona Lucilia - wanted me to attend.

Since I wouldn't be having any major meals at home for the next three days, I had to segregate the remaining food to last until I left for India. I cooked in advance for all the days after the Congress because I knew I would be busy cleaning up the house and finalizing my packing.

I also decided to make a triptych for the family who hosted me and chose three pictures of Dona Lucilia, Msgr Joao and Dr Plinio from my collection.

Mr Paulo Ortiz (Claudia Lucilia's husband) arrived at 2.30 pm sharp to take me to Tabor. That day we only had to register, collect our earphones for translation and attend the inaugural Mass at 6 pm.

I met the maestro violinist from Venezuela, Mr Eddy Marcado who is so humble and warm. He treated me like he knew me for ages.

And after Mass, I finally got to meet my favourite anchor for Heralds without Secrets, Irma Maria Beatriz.

Registration time!

I also met Bro Steven who is official videographer for these mega events. Fr Aumir took special interest in getting me registered. And I got to meet Fr Arturo too. He had come with the Canadian group.

After Mass, (Fr Joshua was the main celebrant), we went for jantar (dinner in Portuguese). What a long line! There were two halls so two lines but it felt like forever.

Fr Cyril Avinash and the brothers at Lumen Prophetae were serving us as is their custom every year.

I was introduced to Bro Eduardo Nobleau who was Nathan's guardian when he first arrived in Brazil. I was delighted to finally meet him in person!

Nathan got to join me for dinner that evening and we chatted a bit about the Congress that had already got over. I got two helpings of the dessert made by the brothers of Tabor themselves. In fact, all the food for all three days are cooked in-house by the brothers. Amazing!!

JULY 26

Another beautiful sunrise! Today, Dona Claudia picked me up, a little later than usual so I missed the morning Mass.

After Mass there was a short break for coffee and a snack. Then we assembled in the courtyard for rosary and went in procession to the auditorium.

The first talk given by Fr Felipe Ramos was on the topic "The Secret of Mary: Mary and the Holy Trinity". As I sat listening to him, I felt a sense of deja vu. I had read all this in the book just before the Congress - Mary Most Holy Part 2. I realised that our Holy Founders had prepared me ahead of time. I was so overwhelmed by this!

In the afternoon, Fr Mario Beccar continued in the same vein, saying the Secret of Mary was Dr Plinio for the Heralds of the Gospel. He was chosen to be the prophet for our times. The topic of his talk was "The Secret of Mary in the words of Dr Plinio and Msgr Joao Cla Dias".

In the area adjacent to the auditorium, the members of the Second Order were looking after the little ones.

I met this lady from Venezuela whom I had met in the home of Mr Vu in June. Her name is Adelina, I think. Anyway, she was telling me how she left her home to settle here and serve as a Third Order cooperator. Her husband had to leave his job and found a job in Sao Paulo.

I also met and befriended a lady from Rio, who coincidentally knew the Sequeira Vaz family well. In fact, she was the one who took them to see the sights when we were all in Rio during the pilgrimage. Small world!

Sr Angelina, who is from Canada but presently serves here in Brazil, also accompanied us for lunch.

At the book shop, I picked up these two books - one for myself in Portuguese - and the other in English for the Miramar Seat.

My angels! The elder daughter is Charis' friend. I gave them a scapular each to thank them for helping me reach for the Congress.

JULY 27

In the morning, the talk was given by Fr Marcos on the topic "The Secret of Mary for a Family of Souls".

I will share some points on each talk after the Appendix.

I don't have any pictures of the keynote talk in the afternoon because Fr Joshua asked that all mobiles be switched off. His topic was "The Secret of Mary: the Path of Sanctification Inaugurated in Cova da Iria".

He too enumerated many points from the three books written by Msgr Joao, specifically the third book which he is translating into English, I was told.

And, as a gift for attending the Congress, everyone was given a copy on the life of Dona Lucilia (in Portuguese). I take this as a challenge from this saint in the making to learn the language and read the books I bought and got.

JULY 28

I woke up that morning feeling a bit sad to be going away soon but also looking forward to making the changes that I had planned. The boys were not too happy with my plans, of course.

A prayer answered!

JULY 29

There was still plenty of food - cooked and uncooked - in the fridge. I packed whatever I could carry back in a freezer bag and kept that ready to put in last of all before leaving for the airport.

I segregated the cooked food to send with Charis to Mater Castissima. Since we had been invited for lunch and dinner to Tabor and Mater Castissima respectively, we packed some of the cooked chicken to add to the fare at both places.

We had lunch with Fr Rodrigo (he gave me a prophetic message which we implemented after I returned to India). Nathan took us on a tour after lunch to Triumpho Marial.

Charis spent a long time praying at Msgr's tomb that evening.

Bro Amish and Sr Regina asked if I could carry USD for their parents. I agreed to do so.

JULY 30

We went with Dona Fabiola for the last time to Monte Carmelo for Mass. Guess who was the main celebrant? Fr Santiago. Charis and I looked at each other and smiled. We even got to receive Holy Communion from him.

And so, it was finally time to leave. Nathan called to say we should come to Tabor to take a blessing from Fr Santiago. He also had a surprise for me. I told Sr Valerie and we made our way to St Joseph's chapel to wait for Fr Santiago. Fr David came first and gave us a blessing. Then Fr Santiago gave us another blessing. Nossa! It was like being in heaven.

We reached the airport around 5 pm, checked in. I was overweight by seven kg so I removed some of the foodstuffs from the freezer bag. Later, I stuffed what I took out from the freezer bag into my handbag and cabin luggage. At cabin check, they confiscated the fresh cream tetrapaks and condensed milk. Nathan had given us tiramisu - that too was confiscated!

We were blessed to have a seat vacant so we could sit comfortably for the long flight. Dona Lucilia took care of even this small detail.

I enjoyed watching some movies while my travel partner slept most of the time.

At Hamad airport, my suitcase was screened. I didn't know this until I got it at Goa. It took a long time to come and we were wondering why. Maybe they thought there were drugs in the statue. At cabin check, one of my scissors was taken. Thankfully they didn't notice my nail cutter!

Welcome committee for my travel partner. As for me, Glenn and the boys arrived and I was whisked off to my home in Bastora.

And thus ended a memorable holiday in Brazil, one that I dare not dream of repeating. A slice of heaven! I'm now waiting for the whole pizza - my exit from earth and to finally behold my family in eternity - The Holy Trinity, Mary Most Holy, our Holy Founders and all the saints and angels.

Appendix