The Archdiocese of Aparecida has welcomed its sixth archbishop, Dom Mário, who takes up the leadership of the local Church at a time of transition and renewal. Succeeding Dom Orlando Brandes, who shepherded the archdiocese for nearly a decade, Dom Mário brings years of pastoral experience and a vision centered on unity and welcome. In his first interview after his installation, he shared the feelings that mark this new calling and the discernment that accompanies it.
Dom Mário’s selection reflects the continuity of the evangelizing work that has always characterized Aparecida, the city that houses Brazil’s largest Marian shrine. For the faithful, the arrival of a new pastor is always a sign of hope and renewal of faith. As it is written in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Legacy Received and the Challenges Ahead
Dom Mário acknowledges the important work done by his predecessor, Dom Orlando Brandes, who devoted nearly ten years to strengthening parish life and promoting social justice in the region. “I receive a living Church, with engaged communities and a dedicated clergy,” the new archbishop said. “My commitment is to continue this legacy, while also seeking new ways to reach those who have drifted from the faith.”
Among the main challenges, Dom Mário emphasizes the need to deepen lay formation and strengthen the Church’s presence in the peripheries. “The Church cannot be a closed fortress, but an open house where everyone feels welcome,” he said, echoing the words of Pope Francis, who always encouraged a Church on the move. The new archbishop also plans to intensify dialogue with other Christian denominations, promoting the unity that Christ so desired (John 17:21).
The Mission at the National Shrine
As archbishop of Aparecida, Dom Mário will also be responsible for the National Shrine, one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the world. Thousands of pilgrims visit the site each year, seeking comfort and spiritual renewal. “The shrine is a place of encounter with God and with Our Lady of Aparecida. I want every pilgrim to feel at home and experience God’s love in a concrete way,” he explained.
Dom Mário plans to implement welcome programs that include not only liturgical celebrations but also moments of prayer, confession, and pastoral counseling. “Welcoming the pilgrim is welcoming Christ himself,” he said, citing Matthew 25:35. He also intends to value the work of volunteers and priests who serve at the shrine, recognizing their daily effort to serve so many people.
Renewal and Continuity in the Local Church
Dom Mário’s installation comes at a time of renewal for the entire Catholic Church, with the recent election of Pope Leo XIV. The new archbishop expressed his full communion with the Holy Father and his desire to collaborate with the directives of the pontificate. “Pope Leo XIV has a missionary heart and a clear vision for the Church. I want to be an instrument of his guidance here in Aparecida,” he stated.
Dom Mário also highlighted the importance of listening and dialogue within the archdiocese. “I did not come to impose ideas, but to walk together with the people of God. Every parish, every movement, and every faithful has a fundamental role in building the Kingdom of God,” he said. He plans to make regular pastoral visits to all regions of the archdiocese, listening to the needs and dreams of the communities.
The Role of the Laity in the Church’s Mission
One focus of the new archbishop is strengthening the role of the laity. “The Church is not just the clergy; we are all of us, the baptized. Every layperson is called to be salt of the earth and light of the world,” he said, referring to Matthew 5:13-14. Dom Mário also announced the creation of a lay council to advise his administration and foster active participation of the faithful in Church life. “I want the laity to be protagonists, not spectators,” he emphasized.
With a smile, Dom Mário recalled his years as a parish priest in a peripheral community of São Paulo. “There I learned that the Church grows when it goes out to meet people, when it listens to their sorrows and shares their joys. That is what I want to live here in Aparecida,” he concluded.
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