From Araguaia to Xingu, From Pará to Travess:
Prelature of São Félix, People of God in the hinterland!
(Anthem of the Prelature of São. Felix)
On July 30, 1968, the first two Claretians arrived in São Félix by truck: Fr. Pedro Casaldaliga Pla and Br. Manoel Luzón. São Félix has extensive forests, native people in villages and exploited workers. Most of them are villagers of northeast country people of “stump garden” or small villages.
In 1969, the Claretians began conversations with the Provincial Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph of São Paulo to send sisters to the mission. In the same year, Fr. Faliero, who preached a retreat to the Sisters, called Fr. Pedro to Itu. Fr. Pedro spoke to the retreatants about the mission, igniting the missionary desire in several retreatants.
In 1970, the provincial and the councillor went to São Félix. After official steps, the Congregation assumed the mission. In 1971 the first five Sisters were sent. The sisters were welcomed with crackers and song made by the students at the airport. Reception continued in São Félix after crossing the Araguaia River by boat. With the Sisters, there were two young lay teachers.
We made a plan and organized ourselves to work in the area of Pastoral and Human Promotion: visits to homes, mothers' clubs, street groups, youth groups, catechesis, popular education, health with the outpatient clinic, etc. ... Then, other Sisters arrived to reinforce health care; a major problem in the region.
“Pedro's letter which changed the Amazon”
On September 30, 1971, Pope Paul VI appointed Fr. Pedro Bishop of the Prelature of São Félix of Araguaia. On October 23, we celebrated his episcopal consecration, with symbols typical of the region which is the river. On that memorable day, he sent a Pastoral Letter: “The Church of the Amazon in conflict with the latifundium and social marginalization”. A prophetic voice, a cry from the Amazon clashing head-on the military regime. It was the first worldwide complaint about the situation in the Amazon and is known as “Pedro's letter that changed the Amazon”.
It did not take long for the reaction to emerge. There were several clashes between landlords and workers who were being exploited. Many were arrested and others hid in the woods. So, little by little, and even quickly, the reality was demanding to redefine the forms of presence and performance. The entire Pastoral Team (Lay Pastoral Agents, Fathers, Sisters and the Bishop) in the face of the conflict, decided, evangelically, to make an option to help the Red Indians, and exploited workers.
The Prelature's denunciations and events made many enemies and persecutors. Bishop Pedro was often persecuted, threatened to be expelled and even with death. As a follower of Jesus he shared the struggles of the people and went on helping people full of confidence in God and passion for the Kingdom. The Persecuted Church of São Félix also won the admiration of many Churches that sought inspiration and ways of liberation in their commitment to the people.
"This mission is a stimulus for the Church and good for challenging the Congregation"
After the first clashes in the mission, little by little, due to age or health, the Sisters of the initial Community returned to São Paulo, leaving an appreciated contribution in the church that was born. However, sisters from another congregation were coming there.
Most of the time, the Province accompanied and supported the Sisters in the Mission in São Felix. But certainly, several Sisters asked themselves why should we opt for church in such difficult situation. The visits of the General and Provincial Council were important moments to reflect and resume together the sense of our presence and participation. The meetings and sharing in the Province took place in this process.
On the other hand the Sisters in the mission in the Church of São Félix, brought into the Province a new experience of commitment and sharing in the struggles of the people, in pursuit for liberation. There was an evaluation by the Sisters of the Council. “On the whole there was pastoral unity but at the same time there was a pluralism of expressions and identities. This mission is a stimulus for the Church and good for challenging the Congregation”. Certainly, participating in this beloved and inspiring Church, in the service of the Kingdom, until the end, was a privilege, a blessing. Immense gratitude to the “Father of Lights, from whom comes every perfect gift” (Jas 1:17).
Peter, Brother, Pastor, Prophet, Poet, Saint
Several Sisters had the grace to experience this blessing for more or less prolonged periods. Currently, as we have limited number of sisters, the Province has a community with two Sisters in the region. Bishop Pedro asked the Sisters of Saint Joseph not to give up on having a missionary presence in this Prelature.
Message from D. Pedro Casaldaliga (on the 400th anniversary of Fr. Médaille's birth)
“Dear Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, the Congregation is a family of the Prelature of São Félix do Araguaia. We will continue to be very united in the struggles and hopes of the Kingdom”.
St. Joseph de Nazareth,
Who works in silence
And begins the day in faith.
A company for Mary;
In taking care of Jesus;
Nights and day,
The bright darkness of the Cross.
Always waiting
You still know how to wait,
Your carpenter's bench
made wages and altar.
(Pedro Casaldaliga poem for the Sisters of St. Joseph in March 1987)
Dear Pedro, brother, Pastor, Prophet, Poet, Saint, rest in PEACE! We love you!
Sr. Paula de São José Gobbi, São Paulo
