Sunday – July 28, 2024

1. UNITED TO THE VINEYARD

We alternated the night watching over Sr. Giulia’s body, praying for her eternal rest and renewing our hope, as the Congregation now has another intercessor in heaven. At 6:30 a.m., we praised God for the life given by our Sr. Giulia, through the prayer of Lauds. Then, we fervently celebrated the Eucharist. Father Alfredo Gonçalves told us in his homily that a child in its mother’s womb does not want to be born because it finds all comfort there. When the child is born and grows, he/her gains confidence, feels loved and does not want to take another step to the other side, the same happens when meeting the Father. Father Alfredo led us to reflect on the immense happiness that Sr. Giulia now finds in heaven, she has taken a new step; she has already been born to eternal life, without any worries, enjoying the grace of God. After the Mass, as a sign of fraternity, the Sisters from different countries, gathered in Nova Veneza, carried the coffin from the Chapel to the entrance of the Sacred Family Institute. Then, we held a procession to the Municipal Cemetery of Nova Veneza for the burial of Sister Giulia. This moment culminated in an emotional ceremony, marked by the testimonies and good memories left by our dear Sister. At 7:00 p.m., we participated in other Mass in the community of the Parish of St. Mark. The Holy Mass was presided over by Father Gilson da Silva Pereira, parish priest of Nova Veneza, who, during the homily, invited Sisters Agenora Tomasi and Maria das Dores Paz to briefly present two new books. The book written by Sister Agenora, entitled “Why? Called – Prepared – Sent. Because… A History in Response”, and the book by Giovanni Veggiotti, entitled “Venerabili Maria e Giustina Schiapparoli: La Santità dell’Accoglienza”. We thank God for these works, which aim to spread the history and Charism of the Congregation!

2. STEPPING ON THE GRAPE

Interculturality refers to people, peoples and cultures, said our Advisor at the beginning of his talk on Inculturation. To provide context, he began by mentioning that since the Industrial Revolution there have been major changes, such as urbanization, which reached 51% in 2004. In Latin America, 61% of the population currently lives in cities, while in Brazil, 85% of the population is urban. In other words, the world is mostly urbanized.

Another significant change is the movement of people, with 300 million living outside their countries, 117 million being refugees and 76 million displaced. In addition, there are internal migrants, who are estimated at 750 million worldwide.

Due to the rigidity of migration rules, many people have been displaced to the borders, which have now become more visible. The Pope refers to this reality as a “Migrant Cemetery.” Father Alfredo highlighted some of the largest “Migrant Cemeteries”: the Mediterranean Sea, the borders of Mexico, the Sahara Desert, the Arizona Desert, and the Darien Strait.

When we talk about interculturality or inculturation, we must think of a broader plan of how to live with people from different countries, languages, and cultures. There is no country that is not affected by migration. Pope Francis is the prophet of migrants, while rich countries try to hide this reality. In addition to hiding it, rich countries act hypocritically, as they open the back door for workers who are later exploited and enslaved as cheap labour. Pope Francis talks about building bridges, while countries talk about building walls.

Rich countries want workers, not citizens; therefore, they close the borders, denying them legal documentation and, consequently, their rights. Therefore, to understand inculturation, it is necessary to think about and understand these realities.

Jesus’ practice consists of a tripod that includes the Mountain, the Pathway and the House/Table. Delving deeper into the subject, the advisor said that a group that loves each other needs a house that preserves intimacy, relationships and fraternity. He mentioned the sacred aspect of being at the table with those you love, as it is the moment of sharing and nourishing the relationship. Sharing the table is nourishing life and the body.

So, inculturation occurs when, in Consecrated Religious Life, we can sit at the same table and, in the house, we can be ourselves, with our weaknesses and our gifts. Therefore, being on the mountain is being in prayer, the pathway is living the mission, and being at the house/table is living the fraternal life.

Father Alfredo ended his talk today by encouraging us to build more bridges and fewer walls in our relationships, promoting the transition from multiculturalism to interculturalism.

Nova Veneza / Brazil, July 28^th, 2024

Communications Team