The European meeting of Scholastics was held on 28 August -- 2 September 2017 at Fatima (Portugal) on the words of the Portuguese writer Miguek Torga: “Without love, the eyes cannot see”. It was attended by Scholastics from Poland, Germany, Austria and Portugal in addition to the Europe Region’s Formation Team.

As this was the Centenary year of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd children, the topics discussed at the meeting focused on the historical context and Our Lady’s message to the world through these children, and on her example as a model of service. These themes were developed by Fr José Nuno (from the Fatima Shine) and Fr Alberto Brito SJ.

The meeting was also attended by the Superior General of the Order, Brother Jesús Etayo, who galvanized the meeting on the last day by addressing the issue of the Order’s future and proposing input for the group work.

The group also visited Montemor-o-Novo (the chapel and the Hospital of St John of God), Lisbon (the St John of Avila Clinic) and Telhal (the Museum and the Casa de Saúde).