?We want to opt for the strengthening of the Marist identity?

The General Council, after the consultation to the Province, has named Brother António Leal the new Provincial of Compostela.

He will assume the charge during the celebration of the next Provincial Chapter in December of this year. He replaces Brother Oscar Martín Vicario, who has been directing the Province for the past six years.  

“I accept this mission as the contribution that God asks me for a project of communion that I assumed when I became a Marist Brother,” said the new Provincial when asked about his nomination.

“I pronounced my yes trusting in the love of God and placing my trust in Him,” he added.  

The Province of Compostela has communities in Spain, Portugal and Honduras, and the Provincial House is in Valladolid, Spain.

Speaking about the journey through the Province, Br António affirms that “the first years after the restructuring were times to place the basic foundations of our future.”

Concerning his mission as Provincial he underscores that “with the help of the Brothers and Marist laity, we want to opt for the strengthening of the Marist identity of each member of the Province and for the joint responsibility or co-responsibility of all the educators in carrying out the Marist mission in each one of the places where we are present.”  

Br António was born in Rexaldia – Torres Novas, Portugal, in 1958. He was formed in the Juniorates of Leiria and of Lisbon and made his Novitiate in Cordoba, Spain, where he made his first profession in 1978.

He made his studies in Youth Pastoral Ministry, Religious Sciences and educational administration. He worked in initial formation, as professor of moral education and in the direction of the Marist Schools of Portugal. He was Provincial Superior of Portugal.

At the moment, Br António is Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry of the Marist Day School of Lisbon and member of the Provincial Council.