Lisbon: Father Fernando da Silva Martins celebrates priestly diamond wedding
Lisbon, Jun 28, 2022 (Ecclesia) – The Parish Community of Oeiras (Patriarchate of Lisbon) promotes, on July 6, a celebration to commemorate the 75th anniversary of priestly ordination (diamond wedding) of Father Fernando da Silva Martins.
The Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Clemente, presides, in the Igreja Matriz de Oeiras, at 19:00, at the commemorative Eucharist and after the celebration, the book with 75 testimonies will be presented «Father Fernando Martins. A face that marked Oeiras”, reads the program sent to Agência ECCLESIA.
Fernando da Silva Martins was born on the first day of February 1924, in the Diocese of Portalegre – Castelo Branco, in the parish of Sarzedas, and his formative path took place at the Seminars of Santarém, Almada and Olivais, having ordained, at the age of 23, , on July 6, 1947, try Manuel from the hands of Cardinal Gonçalves Cerejeira.
Father Fernando Martins remained at the service of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, assuming duties as spiritual director and professor at the Santarém Seminary (at the time, belonging to the patriarchate’s territory), between 1947 and 1958.
In September 19 Martins was appointed parish priest of Oeiras, where until June 2099.
In 2007, a statue of October was inaugurated, in Largo de 5 de Outubro, recognizing the taxpayer and the 41-year mission to «teach, sanctify, govern» the parish of Oeiras.
In July 2010, on the occasion of the Order of the Route of Local Communities Inova, or then President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, distinguished Father Fernando Martins as Commander of Merit for his service in Oeiras.
LS/LFS