Consultar outros Escritos

INTRODUCTION

In these harsh times of violence for many and unquiet for most, Betânia extends an invitation for rest and re-centring on the essential, to allow us to perceive new horizons and to clarify key questions of our existence.

We live in a fragmented world, the daily pace of which does not favour union within our most profound being. Betânia wishes to support the individual search for the depth of our being and allows for sharing in this regard.

We believe that human beings are interconnected, and it is in awareness of this dimension that we can strengthen the base for community which is missing in our societies, deeply marked by selfishness, competitiveness, exclusion, aggressiveness and perceived or declared conflicts. Betânia wishes to encourage the meeting of paths as a way of life: encounters of the individual with the self, with others, with the cosmos and with God.

We recognize that within humans there exists a dimension of transcendence that needs to be nourished, in order to find expression. Within the Christian tradition of the Word and through fraternal sharing, the potential exists today, as in the past, to revitalize us from within and to give rise to a culture of care and responsibility. Betânia wishes to contribute in this regard.

These are a few of the examples of the challenges and aspirations to which we wish to dedicate our attention.

And, because we believe in the value of interaction, we welcome your suggestions and comments.

,

,

ACTIVITIES

Between the hills of Sintra and the sea at Cabo da Roca…

Two suites for those seeking silence and prayer.

Encounters for reflection, in order to foster personal development and discovery of the Self and of the relational dimension of humanity.

Meditation and personal or group prayer.

Contact with nature and working of the land or other manual work.

Meeting room for small groups (15-20 people)

Encounters and the sharing of a simple and communal lifestyle

A Library with works on spirituality for consultation

A debate forum for themes on spirituality.

,

,

THOSE FOR WHOM THIS IS MEANT

People who wish to remain faithful to themselves, weaving into their daily lives the threads of their profound being.

People who wish to experience the beauty and the harmony of all that bears the breath of life.

People who wish to embark on an adventure of self-knowledge and who aspire to union within their lives.

Women and Men who have experienced weariness and disappointment, but who want to rediscover hope and the joy of a meaningful life.

Women and Men who wish to experience the love of God, and to return this to the world through daily gestures of tenderness, neighbourly service and care of the Planet.

Manuela Silva – May 2003