The delegation from the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida presents the mission of TV Aparecida and delivers symbolic offerings to the Successor of Peter.
On Saturday morning, December 13, Pope Leo XIV received the Redemptorists of the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil in a private audience at the Vatican.
The delegation was composed of Archbishop Orlando Brandes of Aparecida; the Redemptorist missionaries Father Marlos Aurélio da Silva, Superior of the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida; Father Eduardo Catalfo, Rector of the National Shrine of Aparecida; Brother Alan Patrick Zuccherato, Artistic and Pastoral Director of TV Aparecida; and the journalist and presenter Camila Morais.
The purpose of the audience was to share the evangelizing mission of TV Aparecida with the devotees of Our Lady of Aparecida and the Brazilian people.
At this important moment, the Redemptorists were blessed by the Pope, which made the meeting even more edifying for the province.
In an exclusive interview with Portal A12 after the audience, Father Marlos highlighted the depth and significance of the meeting, emphasizing the importance of the moment and the renewal of the missionary commitment of the Church in Brazil.
The historic welcome and simplicity of the Holy Father
The Provincial Superior described the day as “very significant” and “historic,” highlighting the emotion of being in the presence of the Successor of Peter.
The Pope’s attitude—showing interest in listening, asking questions, and welcoming those present, like the image of Our Lady of Aparecida—was what most impressed the delegation. The Pontiff’s simplicity created an atmosphere of family welcome and open dialogue.
This cordiality and simplicity in his welcome were the hallmarks of the meeting. The Pope demonstrated a genuine interest in the Brazilian context, addressing social, political, and religious issues, which reinforced the Holy See’s attention to local realities.
“Today was a very significant, historic, and moving day, because this delegation, representing TV Aparecida, the National Shrine, the media, and the Aparecida Communication Network, met with Pope Leo XIV. He welcomed us, listened attentively to our questions, asked us questions, and accepted the gifts we offered him. In particular, he accepted the image of Our Lady of Aparecida, and very spontaneously said, ‘I was there when I was Superior General of the Augustinians.’ […] The most striking thing was the kind and simple welcome of Pope Leo XIV, who made us feel comfortable, listening to us and asking us questions about Brazil, its social, political, and religious context,” said the Provincial Superior.
The role of the media in evangelization and the connection with the Sanctuary
This hearing served to highlight the strategic importance of media outlets linked to the National Shrine, particularly TV Aparecida, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Father Marlos recalls that, during the audience, Archbishop Orlando emphasized to the Holy Father how the Aparecida Communications Network maintains the connection between the Shrine and the faithful, being fundamental to the evangelization process in the country. Pope Leo XIV understood very well that we were there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of TV Aparecida. Archbishop Orlando thus highlighted the importance of the Shrine, of these media outlets, what they represented during the pandemic, and how they maintain a strong connection with the Shrine, TV Aparecida, and the media in general. He explained how this fosters and contributes to the evangelization process. Father Catalfo also emphasized that the Shrine is also notable for highlighting the Word of God within this evangelization process.
The Redemptorist Charism and the Preferential Option for the Poor
The Redemptorist missionaries’ charism is a preferential option for the poorest and most abandoned. In this context, Father Marlos recalled the Pope’s reference to St. Alphonsus, founder of the Redemptorists, during last Wednesday’s general audience, which evoked a feeling of gratitude and joy.
The Redemptorist mission, manifested in closeness to the people, was reaffirmed as the central work carried out at the National Shrine, with evangelization efforts in the context of the struggle for a more just and fraternal society.
“We recall that on Wednesday you mentioned St. Alphonsus. We are sons of St. Alphonsus, and he was grateful that we remembered the quote, the mention he made in the catechesis about St. Alphonsus. Thus, we Redemptorists expressed to him our full communion, our affection for him, but also our support for him, desiring ever more that the Church continue the mission of Jesus Christ, this beautiful legacy that our late Pope Francis left to the Church and that Pope Leo XIV continues. […] I see that all this puts us in ever greater harmony with the calls that the Church makes to us to continue working for a more just and fraternal society, and in a special way, with our Redemptorist charism of closeness, of importance in the work of evangelizing all, but considering in this a preference for the poorest, the most abandoned.”
Renewed missionary zeal and continuity of the legacy
Interpreted as a sign of communion, the meeting with the Pope is also an invitation to renew missionary commitment. Fr. Marlos expresses his desire to “row together” with the Pope, seeking a Church that faithfully continues the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The feeling is that this meeting will further align the Redemptorists with the calls of the Church, inspiring them to continue the work being done in Brazil.
I believe this moment marks for us this communion, this sign of expression, with the universal Church, with the person of Pope Francis, and helps us to have an even greater commitment, this responsibility for the continuity of the beautiful mission of the National Shrine, of the media in evangelization. I think this always makes us reflect on its relevance, on its importance. […] In short, it was a very interesting and significant day. I believe it represents for us, Redemptorist missionaries, a spirit of renewed missionary zeal for this work carried out by the congregation. I told him that we have been at the shrine for over 130 years. He was amazed to hear how long we have been carrying out this beautiful mission and how we want to continue it.
In a video posted on the social media accounts of the Redemptorist Missionaries, Father Marlos also explained that the Holy Father was already familiar with the work of TV Aparecida and recalled his visit to the city of Aparecida:
“The Pope knows that TV Aparecida exists and that there are many devotees of Our Lady of Aparecida, and he reminded us of this by saying: ‘I was already there (in Aparecida), but not as Pope. He gives us hope of returning, now as Pope Leo XIV’.”
Natan Gomes, a12.com
