As I hail from Goa and being among the first Montfortian Priests from India, the Missionary venture always has been my priority. Previous to this experience I had been to Portuguese Africa, the great country called Mozambique. My aim in writing this article is also to manifest my solidarity with the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel and Bro. T.A. Joseph s.g., who asked me to pen a few lines on my 3 years experience, on missions in Brazil, situated in South America. Brazil is a big country, much larger than India geographically, though with a much smaller population with varied climate, habits, customs and culinary tastes. My work was in the Province of Minas Gerais at a place called Joao Monlevade where we run a parish since over 15 years. As a whole, we are well appreciated in this parish for our devoted service to the people, specially the poor, the sick, the drug addicts and the alcoholics. Since I know Portuguese I could press myself into service from the word, go. And it was one of the most wonderful community experiences and priestly missionary service I could perform in my life. I cannot but mention first the beautiful people. I came across here. They are simple, devoted, receptive and very welcoming. Besides they made me feel at home with their traditional hospitality. Being Latin descendants, they are very expressive in their liturgy. Their mass attendance is regular. They make the liturgy alive by singing and dancing and fully participating in the Eucharistic celebration. It is a catholic country, even though of late some leave the church in favour of some other denominations.
My work, very unique for me, was visit to and service to the old and the sick. This gave me immense satisfaction and feedback. Many of these people were formerly on service to our parish of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. The other wonderful experience was to work with various Marian groups like the Marianists, Legionaries and Montfortian associates. They are well informed about Marian doctrines, dogmas and the traditional Devotions to Mary. They recite the daily rosary in their private lives. They also recite the Marian office and as a practice visit the sick and the old. I also prepared the ministers of the Word for the celebration on Sundays. We need them in Brazil, for there is a shortage of priests in general and also in our Diocese of Colonel Fabriciano. I could see in them zeal, commitment and adventurous spirit . Besides they were my friends and we could work hand in hand. We had regular meetings for our upgrading and being in touch with the latest thought of the church about liturgical renewal and theology. That gave us confidence and the capacity to make the church a living and energizing reality to transform the society and our parishners.
I also had every week a meditation and prayer cum music session to the colony called Good Samaritan. This was a happy session for the youngsters to be strengthened in their resolve to fight against drug and alcohol. It was a new experience for me. I learnt closely their problems, and good intentions to be free, to feel wanted and loved, and to get back with dignity into the society. I could see in them the good will, the effort in solidarity to see better days and a better life. Many of them succeeded to recover and get back to life again. It is wonderful to see and to be part of this process in the lives of youngsters. I could guide both men and women.
As the days passed, I was more and more accepted in the parish. I could get to a form of ministry, new at least for me. That was to impart knowledge, to exchange cultural information; our Indian values and t o impart the Word of God on radio. First it was casual. Later I organized the radio talks not only for Catholics but for all Christians, and those who could tune in to the radio called “Cultura”, meaning ‘culture’. I became friends with those on line and the talks became dialogue. The programmes were interrupted and there were people on line for questions and suggestions. We all know this is very enriching and one means which the Church could use to make herself known and loved.
Finally, I was a good friend of the ministers of the Eucharist. They are the ones who take Jesus to the sick and have contact with families. They are educators and make people walk and behave like disciples of Jesus. We had elderly people so dedicated to this ministry, well informed in the basic knowledge of the Eucharist as a banquet of love and of the body of Jesus as a companion in our pilgrimage to heaven, as a balm to heal our sufferings and to give hope for life amidst our fragile experience.
My stay in the parish of Joao Monlevade and in Brazil was for 3 years. But it has marked my life by the beauty of my people, who were very receptive and devoted. Ministering to their needs created in me love for them and for my religious life and priesthood. I used to say to myself, a new day, a new work, a new opportunity to work to my full capacity since you will pass this way only once. And to my surprise, many applauded me and appreciated my mass, sermons, radio talks. A few advised me to come back. As I carry on my work in my new assignment in India, I look back at times and recall my beautiful experience of serving a parish on the other side of the globe, where I never lacked love, support and collaboration in the service to the people who are unique and worth to be served. If anyone feels to say yes and venture, my work over there will be rewarded in this world itself. It was really worthwhile and I came away with the blessings of the very people I could serve with love.
Fr. Norbert Lobo smm
Adarsh Bhavan
Wilson Garden
Bangalore 560027
Cell No: 9901164397
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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