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Easter Visits Across South Brazil Province Districts
Paulus Koko Tolang, SVD
On Saturday and Palm Sunday, I was in Murici (District of São José dos Pinhais, in the Curitiba region), where I prayed at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and at the Costeira Chapel. On Holy Thursday, I took part in the celebrations at St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus Parish in Guarapuava. On Good Friday, I celebrated at Our Lady of Aparecida Parish in Campina do Simão. Finally, on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, I celebrated and concelebrated at St. John the Baptist Parish in Nova Laranjeiras.
For me, this was not merely a “visit,” but a true Easter and family experience: being together with the confreres and with the People of God in those communities. Fraternal life takes on even greater importance during this time, deepening the meaning of Easter. I witnessed the vitality of these communities and their many pastoral activities; the people are fervent in these celebrations of the Christian faith, which are both beautiful and deeply meaningful. For me, this is the true practice of Easter: a “passing through” the community to celebrate the Paschal feast together.
I was very happy to meet again the confreres: Fr. Robin Joseph and Fr. Willy Wedho in Murici; Fr. Ajay Kullu, Fr. Estanislau Talma, and Fr. Andrzej Piasecki in Guarapuava; Fr. Luiz Talcz in Campina do Simão; and Fr. Benediktus Jemium and Fr. Dominic Mundri in Nova Laranjeiras. It was a unique experience. Beyond fraternity with the confreres, I also highlight the warm hospitality of the people, who invite the priests to share meals in their homes—recalling how Jesus visited the house of Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived.
The experience of the “table of the Eucharist” always brings to mind the family setting as a sacred moment. Living the Easter mystery with families is to participate in that moment when Jesus said: “Take and eat, take and drink.” It is in simplicity and in family life that God reveals Himself. The Risen Jesus makes Himself present in difficult moments and even in the darkness of our lives. Yet, with the faith of the disciples who go out early to meet the Master, we can joyfully proclaim: He is alive!
