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About Us
We are a Religious Institute of missionary and contemplative life whose charism consists of contemplation and mission. We identify ourselves with the apprenticeship of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, desiring to adore the Risen Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, and to bring Him to men thirsting for God. Our charism is based on the experience of conventual community life, prayer, contemplation and work. Our aim is to carry out pastoral service in the Church for the greater glory of God, both in parish communities and in missionary animation, dedicating ourselves to training pastoral agents and Christian leaders for the good of their people.
Our Story
This year, on June 29th, we will celebrate our 27th anniversary. Our two founders, Friar José Anchieta Varela and Friar Luiz Carlos Rodrigues, like the disciples of Emmaus, had many doubts, fears, and difficulties when they began their journey. But it was in 1996, with courage, joy, and fervor, on a rainy night, in a small truck, that they moved into their first home with a few belongings donated by strangers.
They were 23 years old and had nothing more than the certainty that the journey they had begun was the Lord's will, and so they went, following their path, led by the hand of Him who spoke to them, explained His word, and revealed Himself in the Eucharist.
Even though they are few in number, the Friars of Emmaus rejoice in who they are, what they live, and what they witness. As Emmaus members, the Friars, Oblates, Friends, Young People, Children—in short, the entire Emmaus family—seek to live the Faith through its founding charism.
Just as the two disciples contemplated the face of the Lord in the breaking of bread and went to announce Him to their brothers, the Friars of Emmaus have the charism of contemplating Him in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, which leads them to announce Him to men thirsting for God, thus bringing His presence to this announcement, so that, before Him, hearts may also burn like a flame kindled within them, the flame of hope, of the meaning of life, leading them, in turn, to recognize all His Lordship, His Sublime Divinity at the Eucharistic Table.
Our convents
Seeking to live out this charism, the Institute currently maintains four convents:
The Convent of the Holy Trinity, headquarters of the Institute, is located in Austin – Nova Iguaçu (Diocese of Nova Iguaçu), through which it administers the Parish of Saint Sebastian and the Infant Jesus of Prague in the Cacuia neighborhood.
The Convent of the Transfiguration, a house of contemplation, in Piraí (Diocese of Barra do Piraí-Volta Redonda), which has a house for holding retreats.
The Convent of the Visitation, a mission house, is located on Ilha Grande (Diocese of Itaguaí), and administers the Parish of Saint Sebastian.
The Convent of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Diocese of Itaguaí), which administers the Parish of Our Lady of the Conception – Conceição de Jacareí.
Commemorative dates
The Friars of Emmaus celebrate throughout the year:
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles and Martyrs, pillars of the Church – whose date, June 29th, marks the founding beginning of the Institute.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, because She is the beginning and end of all things, the reason and foundation of our life and salvation, She who dwells in us like a temple (cf. Jn 14:23; 1 Cor 3:19-17; Rev 3:20), is the example and origin of all community life and invites us to participate in her Communion (cf. Jn 17:21-26).
The solemnity of Corpus Christi, for in the Eucharist is manifested the ultimate gift of God to us. Having loved us, He loved us to the extreme (cf. Jn 13:1), going so far as to give Himself as food for our salvation. We are a Eucharistic community, for it is in the Breaking of Bread that we recognize Him and go forth on mission as living hosts to proclaim Him to our brothers and sisters (cf. Lk 24:30-33; Rom 12:1; 1 Pet 2:5b).
The Feast of the Visitation, seen as the greatest example of service, humility, and obedience to God's will. Like her, we are mothers of the Lord "when we carry him in our hearts and in our bodies (cf. 1 Cor 6:20), imbued with divine love and a pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through a holy life, which should shine forth as an example to others (cf. Mt 5:16)" (1CFi 1,6-7).
The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi: He is for us a model of consecrated life, of following Jesus Christ and his Gospel, of love for all creatures, especially the little ones, to whom God reveals himself (cf. Lk 10:21).