For the first time in its history, the Conference of Friars Minor of Brazil and the Southern Cone carried out a mission involving friars from the twelve Entities that compose it: nine in Brazil, two in Argentina-Paraguay and one in Chile, between June 18 and 30.
The site chosen was the Brazilian Amazon, in the Diocese of Cruzeiro do Sul, in the state of Acre, in the far northwest of Brazil. A total of 18 friars participated, most of them Secretaries of Evangelization and Mission of their respective Entities, in addition to other invited friars and the current President of the Conference, Br. Fernando Aparecido dos Santos, Custos of the Custody of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, based in Franca, in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Cruzeiro do Sul is the second most populous city in the state of Acre.
The group arrived on the eve of the Corpus Christi holiday and was welcomed by the Diocesan Bishop, Msgr. Flávio Giovaneli. Already in the first days, the friars were able to know a little of the reality of the municipality that is the seat of the Diocese. The city stands out for its steep slopes and the large number of motorcycles that circulate through its streets. The presence of rivers is also notable and, in the flood season, some areas are flooded. For this reason, many houses are already built on stilts, small wooden logs that keep the house suspended from the ground. In these periods, the inhabitants of these regions must exchange motorcycles, cars and bicycles for canoes.
On Friday, the 20th June, the Franciscans were divided into small teams to be able to experience different realities. They met riverside communities and indigenous tribes, as well as collaborating in the formation of leaders, liturgical celebrations and the administration of the sacraments. In addition to all the work in the territory, the missionaries also shared moments of fraternal and enriching coexistence with the Bishop and several priests of the local clergy, cultivating a spirit of mutual ecclesial belonging and a sense of collaboration.
The programme was quite intense and also included formative meetings in various areas, visits to schools, hospitals and other health centers, participation in the novenas of different communities, presence on the radio and other media of the Diocese, as well as moments of walking and recreation to get to know some tourist spots in the region.
Activities aimed at youth were also carried out: there were specific meetings for this age group, an evangelization activity in the public square and a Franciscan Walk that marked the closure of the Mission.
The impact of the different activities on social networks and the active participation of young people linked to the Pastoral Care of Communication were also notable characteristics of this missionary time.
In the homily of the closing Mass, celebrated at the end of the Franciscan Walk, in the mother church of the Parish of Our Lady of the Apparition, on the 29th June, the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, Br. Fernando Aparecido dos Santos highlighted the good fruits that were already being harvested from the missionary experience: "As Franciscans, Friars Minor, with our joyful, simple and committed presence, we desire to be witnesses of the Kingdom even in the most remote but no less important places. Because hope is not an illusion, it is a decision. It is seeing the invisible, trusting in the improbable, insisting on the good. With you we learned even more to sow and reap this hope with patience and faith, obeying even the courses and times of the rivers, their riches. […] One thing you can be sure of: for us, the fruits have already begun to sprout because of all that this meant in our lives, and will mean for our entities and for our Conference in Brazil and the Southern Cone," he said.
The missions of the Conference in Cruzeiro do Sul were born from a dream that was built on the basis of much dialogue and integration, always in a spirit of prayer and discernment. In addition to Msgr. Flávio and Br. Fernando, Br. Edgar Alves Pereira, of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Secretary of Evangelization of the Conference until March of this year, and Father Benedito Ferreira, Bursar of the Diocese of Cruzeiro do Sul, were also part of the organizing committee.
The mission was concluded in loco. However, due to the intense demonstrations on both sides, both from the friars and from the people of Cruzeiro do Sul, many fruits are yet to come.
Br. Gustavo Wayand Medella, OFM
Leia a notícia no texto original em português
