The postulants of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil (Maranhão) took part in a mission experience.
By proclaiming Jesus, the missionaries address the poor in particular, calling them blessed, because they are favored in the Kingdom of God. They are beloved, certainly, but not alone, because the Kingdom of God belongs to everyone; no one is excluded.
The Church takes the position that missionaries should try to live within the culture of the mission land, without eliminating, ignoring, suppressing or silencing these realities. From the beginning our Custody has sought to preserve this missionary spirit. On July 3-11, 2019, some postulants of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure went on a mission, their hearts burning to proclaim the Kingdom of God and more deeply realize their vocational calling.
The postulants went to the territory of our Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Bom Jardim, Maranhão State. The pastor there is Friar Alessandro Rodrigues DA SILVA. The postulants visited families and sick persons in the area, celebrated some liturgies and took part in some formation activities. It was a very enriching experience for the young postulants, because they got to put into practice some of the things they have learned in formation.
At the end of their missionary activity, the postulants visited the Cathedral of St. Anthony in the Diocese of Zé Doca, the same diocese to which the parish belongs. The Rector of the cathedral, Father Erenaldo Pereira CAXIAS, welcomed them with great joy and gave them some of the history on the cathedral.
We thank the good Lord for the fruits of this evangelizing activity, and we thank our seraphic Father St. Francis and the Blessed Virgin Mary for their intercession.
Friar Roberto Honorato Oliveira DOS REMÉDIOS, OFM Conv., Postulancy Director
