GLT Accompaniment: Curitiba, Brazil

Missionary spirit is not only about geographical territories, but about peoples, cultures, and individuals, because the ‘boundaries’ of faith do not only cross places and human traditions, but the heart of each man and each woman.” (From his 2013 World Mission Day Message of the late Pope Francis)

For newcomers to Brazil like me and Richie (JPIC Desk–General Administration), witnessing the Brazilian landscape was an awe-inspiring experience. The vast fields and endless pasturelands we passed through beautifully exemplify the meaning of the quote from Pope Francis mentioned above. The mission truly has no boundaries—it reaches deep and wide into the hearts of every person we meet along the way.

After the RENASCO (Réunion Nacional do Concelho) Meeting from August 4-6, 2025, Richie Gomez and I headed to the MSC Province of Curitiba, which covers parts of São Paulo, the states of Paraná, and Santa Catarina. We started in the MSC community in Barra do Turvo, in the Vale do Rebeira region, São Paulo. Three days later, we moved on to Curitiba, which has become our base. From there, we travelled to Francisco Beltrão and then to the picturesque town of Capanema. Two days afterwards, we proceeded to Foz do Iguaçu, and after five days, we headed back to Curitiba. Next, we explored the vibrant town of Florianópolis, where history and modernity blend among natural beauty. After spending time with the MSC community and its people, we returned to Curitiba. Finally, we made our way back to São Paulo on September 3, 2025. The entire trip lasted thirty days.

“…boundaries of faith do not only cross places and human traditions, but the heart of each man and woman”

Before the GLT embarked on its journey to accompany the three MSC Provinces in Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba), I understood that language would play a significant role. However, I never thought it could restrict the way we connect with our confreres. With our devices and Google Translate app at hand, we managed to communicate individually or in informal group chats. Throughout my entire stay, I never felt alienated or disconnected because even during brief or lengthy silences, I felt our hearts remained linked. In our one-on-one conversations, Google may not capture and translate everything we say, but the emotions behind our confreres’ desires, hopes, and even some frustrations are expressed through non-verbal cues. The spirit of fellowship was profoundly felt throughout our time with our confreres.

While travelling with Richie Gomez, JPIC (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation – Desk in Charge), we discovered that a key part of our accompaniment involved engaging with the JPIC initiatives undertaken by our confreres in their parish ministries. It is both fascinating and inspiring to observe that some parishes run ministries that tackle poverty issues, particularly for homeless immigrants. Our conversations and interactions with the Laity of the Chevalier Family, Parish Staff, and volunteers, facilitated by human interpreters, provided us with insight into their awareness of JPIC matters. The Laity, considering their commitments made at the last International Assembly regarding JPIC, employs various ways and levels to care for the environment.

Another significant experience was the opportunity to engage with non-church groups like ASSESOAR (Association for Rural Studies, Guidance and Assistance), which collaborate either directly or indirectly with the church’s JPIC (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation) work. Participating in some activities organised by Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), or the landless workers movement, gave us a broader perspective that the people’s movement and the fight for land by the landless are very much alive in the area. The visit to a semi-private recycling facility was also an eye-opener, demonstrating a higher level of environmental awareness among the community.

Our journey through the MSC Province of Curitiba would not be successful without the efforts of the Provincial Administration led by their Provincial Superior, Jose Vieira, MSC. The warm welcome from our confreres in each community we visited, along with their efforts to let us experience some of their ministries — even going to remote villages to show how they strengthen faith communities in their respective areas of assignment — is inspiring. Interacting with the young members of the Province, who are full of potential, even those in formation (Philosophy and Theology students), gave us a glimpse of a promising future for the Province. Thank you, MSC Curitiba Province.

Gene Pejo, MSC, & Richie Gomez, MSC. (Philippine Province)