United States: Canção Nova Holds 5th Edition of 'Abraça USA'

The event that took place in the city of Philadelphia brought together more than 400 people and featured talks from missionaries Father Fabrício and Márcio Mendes.

Fátima Lima
CN USA Missionary

"The victory that overcomes the world is our faith" (Jn 5:4). This was the theme of the 5th edition of the 'Abraça USA' event that took place between April 26 and 27 in the United States. The talks were led by missionaries from Canção Nova Community, Father Fabrício de Andrade and Márcio Mendes.

This year, the event took place in the city of Philadelphia and brought together more than 400 people. Over these 7 years, the event has taken place in the following cities: New Jersey (NJ), Worcester (MA), Port Saint Lucie (Florida), and Hudson (MA).

The event began with the Rosary of Our Lady, much music and praise. Starting with the day's talks, Márcio Mendes emphasized that God is alive and works miracles. Father Fabrício, who was already in the United States mission for 2 years, spoke about the importance of God's embrace and His mercy. On Sunday, the 27th, the Feast of Divine Mercy, the event was also marked by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and closed with the Holy Mass.

Marisa, who lives in Rockville, speaks about the meaning of a gathering like this. "I participate in all the retreats possible. I love being here, I have participated 3 times. It is a very special moment for me, it is the place where I find myself. I feel the living presence of God, the Holy Spirit speaks to me so much. I cannot miss it, it is like food for my spirit," she expressed.

For Isabel and her husband, a native of the Island of Príncipe and resident in the United States for 10 years, participating in the event is a dream. "It is a very big dream, because we would have liked to have gone to Brazil at Canção Nova to meet Father Jonas, but it was not possible. So, to be here and have the feeling that he – Father Jonas – is here. Thanks be to God, Father Jonas had the courage to found Canção Nova with 12 people and with that he is evangelizing all people, throughout the world, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea-Bissau," she emphasized.

Simone, a Brazilian from Minas Gerais, went to the event at the invitation of her cousin who lives in the United States. "I follow Father Fabrício and Márcio Mendes very much, and my cousin invited me to be here with her. It is a blessing and I can only give thanks," she said.

Today, the mission is located in the city of Long Branch (NJ) and has 8 missionaries. There are 5 members of the community of life. Father Edmílson Dias, Neidinha — mission coordinator – Priscila Rodrigues, Ivina Roberta, Maria Margarida, and 3 members of the second circle community, Father Bob Carr, Clarete Mine, and the newly arrived Fátima Lima.