Easter Celebration in the Colégio São José of Pelotas, Brazil

The Colégio São José, located in Pelotas in the extreme south of Brazil, held its Easter celebration on April 20.  Organized by the Religious Education Team, it had as its theme, “Following Jesus and Caring for Life.”  Teachers and staff reflected on the mission of Jesus who was sent by the Father to care for creation in its birth pangs. Referring to the Fraternity Campaign, an annual campaign of the Catholic Church in Brazil, whose goal is to awaken a spirit of solidarity in society with regard to a concrete problem involving Brazilian society, “Fraternity and Life on the Planet,” was the basis of the celebration.

The Stations of the Cross were commemorated in the school’s chapel.  Through the different scenes, participants followed the pain experienced by Christ.  They were also led to see that mistreatment of nature, greediness, and the abuse of human beings are all contemporary forms of crucifixion.

The group reflected on the fact that life passes through death, but does not remain there, because the resurrection of Jesus redeemed life in all its forms through the joy of Christian hope.