The 150th anniversary

After a time of discernment in community gatherings of the Betharramite vicariate of brazil and approved by the regional council, a new mission front has opened Ad Experimentum at Setubinha in Teófilo Otoni diocese, northeast of Minas Gerais.

Setubinha is one of the poorest areas in the state of Minas Gerais. The municipality was created here less than 20 years ago in a country area: a third of the population lives in the town; the rest in the countryside, in 25 dispersed settlements marked by poverty. In early January 2013, Fr. Eder, while still a deacon, and Father Paulo César Pinto visited a young person there who was thinking of a vocation. The Bishop, a former assistant in Belo Horizonte, learned of their journey to Setubinha. To a colleague he confided how difficult it was to send a priest there: few are willing; and the place is remote, poor, with many settlements ...

In February the vicariate assembly listened to their report and began a discernment. Two religious, Bro. Juan Pablo and Fr.César Paulo Pinto, were sent there for Holy Week. They spent a night at the house of the Bishop, Aloisio Jorge Pena Vitral, who gave them a fraternal welcome and a presentation of the situation. Then they spent a week at Setubinha with Father Ageney, the parish administrator.

At the same time, Bishop Aloisio again visited the regional seminary of Belo Horizonte, he shared the concerns and hopes of his Diocese of Teófilo Otoni . In July, the vicariate discussed the project . All religious were consulted and listened to – in person or by letters and e-mails - the majority responded favorably to the call of the bishop and the people of Setubinha.

On 26 August 2013, the Regional Superior, his Vicar, Father Chiquinho, (then a deacon), and Father Paulo César went to Setubinha. They stopped at Teófilo Otoni for lunch with Bishop Aloisio : an opportunity to restate their respective hopes for the Mission.

Father Ageney accompanied the group to Setubinha. The next day, he visited the communities nearest to the town, while fathers Mauro and Gustavo returned to Belo Horizonte.

At the request of Bishop Aloisio, Father Ageney stayed the whole of September, a time to get acquainted with the communities.

During this period, Chiquinho was ordained priest in his hometown, Conceição do Rio Verde, by his compatriot Guilherme Porto, Bishop of Sete Lagoas - MG.

Then came the time to prepare for National Youth Day in early November. Taking part were Brothers Davi, Eudes and Jeferson as well as some young Betharramite lay associates from Belo Horizonte, Sabara and Passa Quatro: more than 500 young people between 15 and 25 years old took part. Now comes the challenge of organizing and training this large group. At the start of this year, the priests held meetings with pastoral groups and associations, listen to them, and with them plan activities for the year (beginning in February).

Meeting of coordinators of rural communities

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers.” Already young people are affected by the witness of religious life: they require attention and accompaniment along the path of vocation. Still in preparation is the Mission of the Brazil Vicariate to Setubinha. We hope to gather a hundred missionaries from Belo Horizonte, Sabara, Passa Quatro, Conceição do Rio Verde, and São Paulo Paulínia.

Paulo Cesar Pinto scj