ST. B ENEDICT MENNI PGME Gan Clo St. Benedict Menni was born in Milan (Italy) in 1841. His life was marked by the hospitaller vo- trust in the Lord. cation as a Brother of the Order of St. John of I God. He knows the ways ... By nature, he was given a human and spiritual sensitivity that led to openness to the transcen- The Lord resolves everything. dence, to come out of himself, to seek God and be found by Him. With high aspirations, high ideals and noble sentiments he restored the Order of St. John of God in Spain, Portugal and Mexico and founded in 1881, the Congregation of Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was characterized by a deep faith in Christ, a merciful and healer, with a committed look at the reality of his time. He pioneered the psychiatric care of the late nineteenth-century. He was the promotor of the centrality of the sick person during the care process, the humane touch to the patients and the consideration of madness as a disease. www.sanbenitomenni.org He founded 14 psychiatric care centres and 15 nursing care for rickety and for scrofulous chil- dren, besides which he opened communities in public centres. He died in Dinan (France), April 24, 1914. He was beatified in 1985 and canonized in 1999, by Pope John Paul II, proclaiming him as "herald of the Gospel of mercy, through service to the sick and needy brothers." Ciempozuelos (Madrid) 22 - 24 of April of 2015 PROGRAMME OF THE MEETING WEDNESDAY , A PRIL 22, 2015 7.45 pm . Institutional Act: Recognition of Ciempo- zuelos as a small town of Hospitality. A monolith with 5.00 pm. Arrival and welcome in places of accom- a plaque to remember the centenary of the death of modation and delivery of pilgrim's bag. Saint Benedict Menni, Co-patron and adopted son of 8.00 pm. Welcome to the pilgrims. Greeted by Mrs. the town will be found. Mayor, Mª Ángeles Herrera and Provincial Superiors: Location: Gardens of the shrine of Our Lady of Con- Sr Maria Rosario Iranzo and Bro. José Antonio Soria. suelo. Location: Auditorium of the house of the Sisters. 8.30 pm . Dinner (Hotel El Volante) 8.30 pm. Dinner (house of the Hospitaller Sisters) 10.00 pm. Vigil of the Light of Hospitality: Location: Church of the Hospitaller Sisters. APRIL 23, T HURSDAY , 2015 APRIL 24, F RIDAY , 2015 ◊ The Sisters Hospitallers and the Brothers 9.00 am. Mass presided over by Br. Jose Luis Redra- 9.30 am. Lauds, of St. John of God is organizing the gat- do, (in the Church of the Brothers.) Location: Church of the Hospitaller Sisters . hering of closure of the centenary of the 10.00 am. Welcome, by the General Superior, Sister death of St. Benedict Menni will be held in Anabela Carneiro and Bro Jesús Etayo. Guided tour to the centres and museums of the house Ciempozuelos from 22 to 24 April 2015. of the Hospitaller Brothers and Sisters. 10.30 am . Conference: The gathering will be attended by sisters, 12.00 pm. Closing Eucharist presided over by the • brothers and co-workers of both institu- Bro. Luis Valero. St. Benedict Menni, 1867- Bishop of Getafe, Joaquín Mª López de Andújar. tions from all over the world. 1912: Contributions to the Hospitality of St John of God . Location: Church of the Hospitaller Sisters. ◊ All pilgrims will be accommodated in Ciempozuelos. • Sr. Mª Concepción Ochotorena. Father Bene- 2.00 pm. Lunch dict Menni, a lifetime behind the heart. End of the gathering. ◊ There will be an opportunity to visit the museums of the two institutions. In the Location: Auditorium of the Brothers . museum of the Sisters many personal ob- 12.00 pm. Coffee jects of St. Benedict Menni and the Foun- dresses of the Congregation are preser- 12:30 pm . Forum, testimonies of hospitality : A bor- ved. derless Hospitality. ◊ There will also be a visit to the landmarks 2.00 pm. Lunch ( Brothers´ House) of Ciempozuelos: Shrine of Our Lady of 3: 30pm. Guided tour of the centres and museums in Consuelo, House of Mrs. Joaquina, primi- the house of the Brothers and Sisters. tive chapel of the Sisters. 6.00 pm. Theatre: production by Patients belonging to the centres of Foundation Immaculate Conception, Granada and caring centres, Ciempozuelos. Location: Auditorium of the house of the Sisters. .