On September 24, 2016, The Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, in Guimarães, was the venue envisaged for the joyful 50-year celebration of the foundation of the Congregation of the Aliança de Santa Maria as well as the temporary religious profession (for three years) of Sister Liliana Reis, who offered herself to Christ and His Church through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, obedience and unity, the latter being specific to the congregation. We further celebrated 25 years of consecrated life of Sister Natalia Rocha, Superior General of the Congregation.


This occasion was shared by many family members, friends and benefactors as well as lay members of groups linked to the Congregation: the Luminaries of Holy Mary, Reparation Allies and members of the National Rosary Crusade, all of whom together with their spiritual family came in thanksgiving for the 50 years of the Congregation’s existence within the Church.

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“With the immense joy

Of one who is entrusted”

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The celebration was presided by Archbishop Jorge Ortiga and was attended by Father Manuel Morujão sj, Episcopal Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese of Braga and seventeen priests.

This year, prior to the Centenary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima,  Sister Natalia highlighted the close link between the Message and the birth of the Congregation and its charism.

The truths of the Gospel announced by Our Lady in Fátima, its spirituality and challenges, shaped the identity and the apostolate of the congregation. This apostolate is fulfilled mainly by making the Message known among the people of God, through numerous apostolic works nationwide and abroad, spreading the awareness of the rosary as well as the consecration and reparation to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

With the immense joy of one who is entrusted by Jesus to Mary, as the apostle John at the foot of the cross: “Woman, behold your son” and of one who receives Her in her house “Behold your Mother”, we chant our “hymn of praise” for the graces our Lord has bestowed upon the Aliança de Santa Maria. We specially thank the blessing that Sister Natalia’s dedication and commitment throughout the years has been for the congregation and the Church, as well as Sister Liliana’s alliance to Jesus through Mary.

Catarina Rolo, asm

                                                                                                                                 24 September 2016