São Félix da Araguaia, Brasil. On the 90th birthday of Msgr. Pedro Casaldaliga, CMF, guests from all Latin American latitudes, principally from the communities and institutions of Mato Grasso, came to Centro Comunitario of São Félix da Araguaia for the Thanksgiving Mass for his 90th birthday and the 50 years of his arrival in Brazil. The Mass was presided by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Adriano Vasino, Bishop of São Félix da Araguaia and concelebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Eugenio Rixen, Bishop of Goiás Velho and dozens of priests. There were also numerous Religious who were present. Moreover, Fr. Artur Teixeira, CMF, General Prefect of Apostolate, went to personally impart the well wishes of the General Government and of the whole Congregation to the celebrant on this momentous event.
Before the Liturgy of the Word, the arrival of Casaldáliga to the Prelature, the persecution and martyrdom of Fr. João Bosco, the arrival of the disease and the signs of hope for future generations were evoked. The symbols of the Karajá tribe, a cross with Fr. João Bosco’s T-shirt, a support flare and flowers that were distributed throughout the assembly, have been presented to the honoree. At the end of the celebration, the guests approached him to greet him personally and to take a selfie.
The whole Congregation is thankful to the Lord for the gift of person of Msgr. Pedro and thankful for his dedication and service to the People of God and to the Congregation.
Pere Casaldàliga i Pla (real name in Catalan), born in 1928, is a Spanish Catalan-born emeritus Bishop of São Félix do Araguaia, Brazil. He is one of the most known practitioners of Liberation Theology. He has received numerous awards, including the International Catalunya Prize in 2006. Well known for his work in support of indigenous peoples, he has published at least ten volumes of poetry.
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