Winter (in July!) update

It’s winter in Campos now. The ongoing pandemic and associated social and economic upheaval continue to leave their mark, even as businesses and churches officially begin to re-open. Even as the pandemic subsided in the major cities it began to spread into the secondary cities and rural regions.

​In the town of Saint Anthony of Padua three residents of the old-people’s home recently fell sick with covid-19, as did the Mother Superior of the small religious order that cares for them. She is now on a ventilator at a major hospital in Rio de Janeiro, and three other sisters (in an association of just six sisters) are also sick, though not as seriously. We beg your prayers for Reverend Mother Lúcia, the sisters of the Association of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima and of Mount Carmel, and the residents of Saint Anthony of Pádua!

The seminarians are regrouping at the seminary, having taken the usual July holiday early in the hopes that that would give the pandemic time to pass. Since it didn’t, they are coming back for the upcoming semester anyway, arriving in small groups under the supervision of a doctor. I can guarantee you there is great joy in that return. These young men have a great love of Jesus, Mary, and our beloved Church. Please pray for their perseverance and holiness!

Meanwhile, to my delight, progress has been made on finishing the floors and walls of the area that will eventually be the retreat center for clergy. Thank you very much for your support which helps make this and other projects possible!

I have lately discovered that it’s not uncommon for people to have been able to attend Mass during the formal ban on church services. 

Being a gringo I tend to take things at face value and follow rules. But things work differently in Brazil. Since priests were celebrating Masses in the churches anyway, with the presence of some cantors, the organist, the tech guy to run the video feed, and several altar servers, it didn’t seem unreasonable to let in the pious who might knock at the side door. As long as they didn’t cause a fuss and stayed behind the camera, there was nothing said and life went on as usual. I’m speaking here of my personal experience in the city of Rio de Janeiro and the accounts of several friends, but I suspect the same has been going on in most places, as it would be a very typical Brazilian workaround.

Many people I know suspect this is only the beginning of a period of more tribulations. Life in Brazil has always been difficult in one way or another, though, and people have a great deal of patience and perseverance. We hope in Our Lady’s intercession and God’s mercy.

​We are grateful for your continued prayers and financial support for our mission and for the people of Campos!