The eleven vicariates of the congregation (7)

Its roots

The Betharramite presence in Brazil developed in the 30’s at the specific request of The Sisters of Providence of Passa Quatro and with the approval of the Brazilian authorities.  The first Community, the Ginasio São Miguel, was founded at Passa Quatro in March 1937 by Frs. Jean-Baptiste Apetche and Edouard Miéyaa (French), Dante Angelelli (Italian) and Francis Darley (English).  Fr. Evald Huwel, an Argentinian (of german origin), a senior member of the congregation in Brazil, joined them at the end of that same year.

From the outset, the congregation concentrated on the young and the task of training the new recruits to the Betharram congregation.  During the war, around 1943, the Institute in São José, Conceição do Rio Verde, was created to accommodate a few classes from Passa Quatro, and a Betharramite pre-junior seminary. The seminary as such was founded in 1948 next to the Passa Quatro school; in 1951 the Brazilian Novitiate opened and the following year The Major Seminary, from which graduated the first Brazilian Betharramite Brothers: Frs.  Joaquin Soares Moreira, Gabriel Rodrigues Moreira and José Luiz Arantes Vilela.

The Ordination of the first priests and the increase, albeit limited in the number of brethren, led to the creation of other Betharramite centres, with particular emphasis on Pastoral activity and parish work in the big cities such as São Paulo (1956) and Belo Horizonte (1961) and in the smaller urban centres such as Brumadinho (1969), Santa Luzia (1970), Paulinia (1983) and Douradina (1993).

Following the division of The Congregation into Provinces in 1948, Brazil was initially part of the Province of America, as were Uruguay and Paraguay.  The revision and final approval of the provinces led to the separation of Brazil from the other countries and to the birth of the vice province of Brazil which, in its initial developments, received the help of the newly founded vice province of Italy, which sent several priests and brothers to the new continent.

Today, the Brazilian Betharram runs 5 parishes, including those of Sabarà and Setubinha which have recently opened, as well as the original centres namely the boarding schools of Passa Quatro and Conceição; and finally, within the framework of the Regional organisation, based in Belo Horizonte, are the Head-Quarters of the Scolasticate of the Etchécopar Region.

Roberto Cornara

Its Present & its Future with Fr. Mauro Henrique Ulrich de Oliveira scj, Regional Vicar

The Betharramite presence in Brazil is about to celebrate its eightieth year: it was in fact in 1935 that the General Council authorised the founding. However, far from being an increasingly ageing and frail body, as one might expect to occur over time, this presence continues to show signs of youthful energy and strength.
It has not been due to a human effort, either individual or collective. It has been more about a force of will which goes beyond all of us individuals and to me seems to demonstrate how much in need day to day Brazil is of the charism which St Michael managed to intuit….Gradually we are discovering that to do the will of God is the only method by which we can lead people to become fully realised, to a true happiness.
The road travelled till now has been made up of joys and sorrows, of gifts received and of necessary acts of purification; a road that seems to have only just begun. There have been many experiences of lives given in service to others, for the mission, without a care as to where and when; and we can also count many defectors, people who, for whatever reason, have not been able to stay the course. In God’s eyes , all these are important and everyone has contributed in their own way towards a green and yellow Betharram.

We are continuing with the now well established educational activities: in the St Michael college at Passa Quatro and the St Joseph institute at Conceicao do Rio Verde. These are not grandiose colleges : they are warm and welcoming places engaged in work which seems to be increasingly less appreciated in Brazil; missionary work both for the laity and religious which seems to be increasingly an area where no one wants to go.

Attention must be drawn to the work of formation in the religious life and the priestly ministry. This is a task which often may pass unnoticed, hidden in the routine of study, personal dialogue, discernment, silent prayer during retreats, vocation promotion and Aspirancy House, our Lady of Betharram at Passa Quatro (MG), the Postulancy House in the Betharramite Seminary of Paulinia (SP), and the Regional Scholasticate of Sacro Cuore di Gesu at Belo Horizante (MG).

A great deal of work done in the parishes, entire communities set up and encouraged to flourish thanks to the work of different generations of Betharramites down the years: Our Lady of the Beautiful Branch at Vila Matilde (SP); Our Lady of the Beautiful Branch at Paulinia (SP); the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Nova Granada.

A new colorful parish for Betharram in Brazil: Sabarà

There are also parishes recently entrusted to us at the request of the Bishops who can find no-one else willing to take them on: The Parish of St Sebastian of General Carneiro at Sabara (MG) ; the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, at Setubinha (MG). These are two parishes in the suburbs, where the work is essentially missionary in practice.

We have young people who are at the point of fully committing their lives and entering the Ministry of the Priesthood. People who little by little are creating a spirit of joy and hope throughout the Vicariate, and in the Region.

What about the future? It will be like the past has been: God will take the charism of St Michael where he wishes. And as for us… well, we will continue to do what we have always been known for : Forge ahead, with humble,docile, joyful and constant hearts.