In Brazil, the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida celebrated the Jubilee Year of St. Gerard between April 26, 2025, and April 26, 2026, in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the holy Redemptorist brother. The 365-day celebrations began at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Gerard in Sorocaba (SP) and concluded at the Shrine of St. Gerard in Curvelo (MG).
After three days of celebrations, from April 23rd to 25th, the Jubilee celebrations concluded with a solemn celebration on Sunday the 26th, bringing together the faithful of Curvelo and devotees from various regions of Minas Gerais and Brazil. The program included an impressive procession, departing from the Parish Church of Santo Antônio and heading to the Shrine, accompanied by Redemptorist missionaries and the people of God.
In a symbolic gesture, the Redemptorist brothers carried the image of the saint, recalling St. Gerard’s simple and devout life. A relic of the saint was also carried by Brother Geraldo Pereira Neves, C.Ss.R.
The solemn Mass was presided over by Most Rev. Darci José Nicioli, C.Ss.R., Metropolitan Archbishop of Diamantina, and concelebrated by several Redemptorist missionaries, including Fr. Francesco Stanula (Vicar General of the Redemptorist Congregation), Fr. Marlos Aurélio da Silva (Provincial Superior of the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida), Fr. Edilei Rosa Silva (Provincial Superior of the Province of Curitiba), Fr. Eduardo Catalfo (Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida), Fr. Luiz Cláudio de Macedo (Rector of the Shrine of St Gerard in Sorocaba), and Fr. Vinícius Ponciano (Rector of the Shrine of St Gerard in Curvelo), as well as other members of the congregation. Also participating were religious from the three Brazilian provinces of Brasilia, Curitiba, and Our Lady of Aparecida, seminarians, members of Uneser, municipal authorities, and numerous faithful.
During the homily, Father Marlos Aurélio da Silva emphasized the intensity of Saint Gerard’s life:
“Saint Gerard’s life was short, 29 and a half years, but lived with great intensity, great faith, and great generosity. This is why we said this was a Jubilee Year. We are here at the conclusion of this journey. Jubilee because our souls are filled with joy, with happiness in recognizing God’s action in the life of this Brother, simple, yet with a soul magnified by God.”
The life of Saint Gerard is not only to be admired, but to be imitated in everyday life, in simple gestures and everyday choices. Thus, the conclusion of the Jubilee of the 300th anniversary of St Gerard’s birth also becomes a new beginning: an invitation to live a more incarnational faith, one that translates into love, service, and a constant pursuit of holiness. May Saint Gerard’s example live on not only in devotion, but in the lives of each of us!
(source a12.com)
