Rome, November 5, 2025 –Fr. Valdivino Ferreira Guimarães, CSsR, a Redemptorist from the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida (Brazil), defended his doctoral thesis in theology, specializing in Mariology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty “Marianum”. The thesis, entitled “A Via da Beleza na Basílica de Aparecida por Cláudio Pastro: Uma Arte a Serviço do Povo de Deus,” was developed under the guidance of Professor Ricardo M. Pérez, OSM.
This research analyzes the sacred art created by Brazilian artist Cláudio Pastro in the Basilica of Aparecida, demonstrating how the “path of beauty” can become a tool for evangelization, contemplation, and catechesis. The study explores the theological, liturgical, cultural, and pastoral value of the works in Brazil’s most important Marian shrine.
Present at the defense were Father Rogério Gomes, Superior General of the Redemptorists, some members of the international Redemptorist community in Rome, together with family and friends of the candidate.
In addition to his academic career, Father Valdivino held various positions in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer: he was prefect of the church at the National Shrine of Aparecida, director of the Marian Academy in Brazil, vicar at the parish of San Gerardo in Sorocaba (São Paulo), and professor at the ITESP – Theological Institute of São Paulo. He edited several publications, including Maria: Trono da Sabedoria, Maria na liturgia e na piedade popular, Iconografia de Aparecida – Teologia da Imagem, and Aparecida: 300 anos de fé e devoção.
Interview with Fr. Valdivino Ferreira Guimarães, CSsR – new doctor of theology
1. You wrote a doctorate in art. Do you also practice any art form?
I’ve always been fascinated by art because I believe it’s a way to get closer to the Creator. God, in creating the world, saw that everything was good, that is, beautiful, and created human beings in His image and likeness. The art forms I’ve studied most deeply are Roman mosaics and Byzantine iconography, because this art form reveals the Scriptures through lines and colors.
2. What is the role of Cláudio Pastro’s works in the Basilica of Aparecida?
Sacred art has a mystagogical and educational function in view of the Mystery being celebrated. Cláudio Pastro’s art in Aparecida was conceived with this purpose: to educate in the faith through a language inspired by the Bible, Tradition, and the Magisterium, in continuity with the Second Vatican Council and the identity of the Brazilian people. The space of the Basilica seeks to reveal the beauty that leads to God and embraces human beings at all stages of life. This art, inspired by early Christian art, aims to help celebrate the Paschal Mystery.
3. How does one learn to “read” the language of sacred art?
Adequate training is necessary, especially in the preparation of priests. Documents such as Sacrosanctum Concilium emphasize this point. The crisis of sacred art is also a crisis of formation: for centuries, beauty has been neglected, and this is reflected in liturgical spaces. Today, the Church calls for a recovery of true sacred art, capable of introducing us to the Mystery. Without training, the difficulty of deciphering it will remain. As Pope Paul VI said: “Humanity needs art to avoid falling into despair.”
4. How can art help those on their journey toward God?
Sacred art has the task of teaching the Gospels and the truths of faith. It must be celebratory, capable of astonishing and introducing an encounter with God. Sacred art should not be copied from the outside world: the liturgical space must be different, because it is intended for the Mystery. Taking the art of the Basilica of Aparecida as an example, it must be an art that does not stop there. When people enter the space, they are filled with admiration and wonder. We call this mystagogy, that is, leading to the experience of God.
5. What are your plans for the future?
My desire is to serve the Congregation and the Church wherever needed, capitalizing on the academic training I acquired during my licentiate and doctorate in Dogmatics and Mariology to better serve the people of God.
Thank you so much! Father Valdivino, we congratulate you on your academic achievement and wish you fruitful service to the Church and the Redemptorist mission, in preaching the Gospel, including through the language of beauty.
GR/ Scala News
