Allow me to share with you dear reader, this reflection from my experience lived in a priestly ministry. As I now arrive at the 50th year of my existence, 20 of which were dedicated to the church, I see how remarkable this experience of priestly life has been to my existential life. After these two decades spent in the church’s magisterium, I have come to the conclusion that to apply one’s self in God received vocation is ...

From the series Religious Pilgrimages in the Great Backlands The city of São Romão, located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, situated on the banks of the Rio São Francisco and part of the Urucuia Great Backlands tourist circuit, is the birthplace of age old religious traditions and whose people are the holders of an unparalleled cultural heritage of diverse expressions of faith lived in popular religiosi...

From the series Religious Pilgrimages in the Great Backlands Every year in the first half of August, pilgrims drawn by their faith come in from various different regions of the country to the sanctuary dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, venerated by the title Our Lady of Abadia in the small community of Andrequicé in the county of Presidente Olegário, located inside the tourist circuit of Tropeiros de Minas, in the State of...

From the series Religious Pilgrimages in the Great Backlands The tiny district of Santa da Pedra, in the county of São João do Pacuí, Northern Minas Gerais state, each year becomes one of the most bustled villages in the region when thousands of visitors pilgrimage in from all over the state. Circulating its streets they head for the town’s small church to give thanks for the grace and blessings granted through the interc...

Under the series Religious Pilgrimages in the Backlands Situated deep in the northern backlands of Minas Gerais state, the Community of Serra (Sierra) das Araras, today within the district of the Chapada Gaúcha county, every year in the first half of June is the scene of various expressions of the faith of God’s people. Thousands of pilgrims and Payers of Promises make the pilgrimage here on foot, horseback, in private ...