Report –Retreat in Portugal
September 10-16, 2025
We all arrived on September,10 in Porto. Due to a strike in several airlines, some of the people had a long delay. Our sister from Japan really had to be patient…
But, in the evening the True Life in God family sat together at the dining table and we had a fantastic dinner. Here we introduced each other. People came from Portugal, Malta, USA, Japan, Switzerland, India, Germany. It was a big joy to meet long-time-friends and new people.
Having Dinner Together
Our big honor was to have once again Father Rolf Schönenberger as our spiritual guide. Father Rolf has much knowledge about what happened in Fatima, from which we could benefit a lot.
We were also very happy to welcome Father Jose from Dehli, a long time member of TLIG. He brought two of his parisoners with him to the retreat.
On the 2nd day we started the morning with Mass at the Convent in Requiao. This monastery was founded by Father Milheiro, a personel friend of Vassula‘s. Together with two nuns he had brought the TLIG Messages to all the prisons in Portugal. Many TLIG related discussions ensued after their visit. Later, after his prison ministry, Father Milheiro wrote three books. The contents and themes of these books were all revolved around the testimonies of the prisoners.
Celebrating Mass Together
After mass we departed for Santiago de Compostela. During the three hour drive we prayed and sang. Rui de Francisco, our fantastic Portugese guide and organiser gave us information about the history of Portugal, about the existing businesses within the country, the level of education, and agriculture. His wife Ida shared traditional Portuguese sweets!
When we arrived at Santiago de Compostela (Campus stellae-means field of stars),we went directly to the 900 year old Basilika. The building is unbelievably nice and impressive. It was built with much love, many details, magnificently: a worthwhile place for the relics of St. James. We visited his tomb, and also we saw the famous botafumeiro: the big, swiveling vessel for incense.
On the Steps of Santiago de Compostela
In Santiago, Rui had organized a delectable lunch in the old city. We also had time to buy some souvenirs. We finally returned to Famalicao, to our hotel and had dinner by 8.pm.
On the third day, we visited, after our mass, the monastery in Requiao: the former capital of Portugal, Porto. On the way to the city we stopped at the monastery where the blessed Mary of the divine heart spent her life (1863-1899). She had the call to ask the Pope to dedicate the world to the most holy heart of Jesus. Here Father Rolf explained a lot about her life, her sufferings. We spent a wonderfully, blessed time in the church at her tomb.
At the Monastery’s Church where the Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart Spent her Life
In Porto we visited churches, and the university; we admired the old houses (nothing was destroyed because Portugal did not participate in WWII). We learnt a lot about the location‘s history. We visited the Church of St. Francisco, the Clerigos church and tower, the cathedral of Porto and the Avenida dos Aliados: the city´s central boulevard. Again, we had lunch all together and returned to Famalicao in the evening.
At the City’s Central Boulevard
Cathedral in Porto
On the fourth day we woke up early because we wanted to go to FATIMA! We left by 6.am.The hotel had organized lunch-packages for our trip. During the three hour drive, Father Rolf introduced us to what happened in Fatima. He spoke about the apparitions and what our Holy mother said to the children. We also heard about their sacrifices, and their persecutions.
Celebrating Mass at Fatima
It was an impressive Holy Mass in which we attended there, with about 200,000-300,000 people. We had to rely on sun umbrellas and little chairs because there was no seating availability anywhere. Before the Mass started we prayed the Rosary. We moreover had the option to receive the Sacrament for Confession.
The Mass began with a big procession of priests and bishops from all over the world. We sang hymns to honor Jesus and Mary. The priests were carrying a big statue of Mother Mary decorated with a lot of beautiful, colorful flowers. The Mass itself was arranged with a fantastic choir, great organ music. The priests presided in different languages, so that everybody felt welcome. In 2024, this sacred place, Fatima, hosted 6.2 million pilgrims. It is the national sanctuary of Portugal.
After the Mass, when the priests and bishops returned in a procession, they carried again the statue of our Blessed Mother Mary; everybody waved to them with a tissue/handkerchief.
After our departure from Fatima, we visited the little village nearby, where Francisco, Jacinta and Luzia grew up. It was interesting to see how poor they were. We saw the place where St. Michael appeared to them; the place where the children learnt the prayer: St. Michael, defend us in the day of battle…..be our safeguard…As part of the day’s adventure, the pilgrims were offered beautiful souvenirs and handicrafts at each of the Holy sites.
The Little Nearby Village
We returned late to our hotel, had dinner in a nice restaurant. Again Rui and his wife Ida had found a reputable restaurant in Famalicao.
Inside the Monastery -During the Retreat: in the Dining Room
On the fifth day, we attended the retreat in the Convent. We began with Mass in the morning, heard speeches from Father Rolf and Father Jose about the TLIG Messages. Father Jose offered an introduction about the TLIG Messages to the newcomers. Then it was time to partake in the Sacrament of Confession. As a reception, the sisters organised very special lunch for us.
It was here, at lunchtime, where we used the time to exchange stories and anecdotes about our experiences with the TLIG Messages within our respective countries.
On the sixth day we began the day with Mass in Requiao and then went to Braga. We visited the Basilika of the child of Jesus, the biggest national sanctuary of Northern Portugal, along with the Basilika of the Nossa Senhora do Sameiro: a Sanctuary of our Holy Mother.
Braga
After Braga we continued our journey to Balazar. In this village, the Blessed Allessandrina was born and raised. We visited her home, where she spent many years in her bed. Her story is most notable. Many people came to ask her for spiritual help. It was at this village where a holy cross appeared on the soil, years before Alessandrina was born. They tried to clean the soil many times, but the cross returned – it is there to this day. Incidentally, a church has been built over it.
On Day seven we had to say good-bye and see you again. We were filled with so many impressions. Overall, we were thankful to Jesus and Mary for this blessed time . You are all welcome in May 2027 to join us for the 3rd Retreat.
God bless you, in Christ´s love,
Michéle Gleiniger, Berlin
