With the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope in Search of an Integral Ecology” and the motto: “God saw that everything was very good” (Gen 1:31).

From July 28th to August 2nd, 2025, in the municipality of Curuá, both in urban and countryside, the popular holy missions took place. This is a period of intensive evangelization and religious celebrations, with the goal of reviving the faith and Christian life of the faithful, as well as strengthening the ecclesial community. These missions are carried out by a group of lay people, religious, and priests who visit homes, conducting sermons, prayers, and community activities, seeking to reach both active members of the church and those who are more distant. This year, 2025, the parish of São Raimundo Nonato, spread across 54 communities, is celebrating its 25th anniversary since the first popular mission held in that parish.

The event was organized and prepared by the two priests and one brother of the Divine Word congregation, responsible for the parish, our three FCJM sisters, who live in the Mission in Curuá and by the lay leaders of the parish of São Raimundo Nonato.

Missionaries  from  across  the Diocese of Óbidos, several parishes in the Diocese of Itaituba, several parishes in the Diocese of Xingu, several parishes in the Archdiocese of Santarém, and local lay missionaries participated in the holy missions. The missionaries were sent in small teams to the 54 communities; some teams remained in the city, others went to riverside areas, and still others to the plateau region.

During the event, the missionaries stayed in the homes of families who welcomed them with great love. The families were overjoyed when the missionaries visited. People enjoy sharing their hardships and joys. Children, young people, adults, and the elderly, every day from five in the morning, were ready to walk with us up to 10 kilometers in this scorching Amazonian sun. For some communities, the missionaries had to travel by canoe or small boat. We understand in this action that we carry out, that it is God himself, through his message and the missionaries, who reaches out to those who, for whatever reason, are far from the community journey.

Meeting these people thirsting for God, seeing the renewal of faith in the communities, feeling the church becoming closer, more outgoing, more fraternal, and welcoming the new, is of immeasurable importance, a source of enormous joy and profound satisfaction. It is deeply rewarding for each missionary who experiences this mission, both spiritually and humanly.

The missionary event began with the welcoming of 110 missionaries coming from anothers dioceses, including priests and religious, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Bernardo Johannes. It was a dynamic Mass full of life and joy. The mission concluded with a walk of approximately nine kilometers, attended by many people, and the sending-out celebration of the missionaries, celebrated by Bishop Bernardo Johannes.

Written by Sr. Aleunice Lima FCJM

Edited by Sr. Sheila Kinsey FCJM