In April 2025, as spring blossomed in Brasilia, Brazil's bishops gathered for a meeting that would shape the coming years of the Church's journey in their nation. The 62nd General Assembly of the CNBB was not just another calendar meeting, but a kairós – an opportune time – when the Holy Spirit breathed upon the shepherds guiding the Brazilian flock. In this atmosphere of prayer and discernment, a fundamental document was presented: the new version of the Instrumentum Laboris of the General Guidelines for Evangelizing Action.
This moment occurred in a unique ecclesial context. The Church was still feeling the loss of beloved Pope Francis, who passed to the Father's House on April 21, 2025, leaving a legacy of pastoral care and closeness to the poor. Simultaneously, we were living through the first months of Pope León XIV's pontificate, elected in May 2025, who inherited this mission of steering Peter's boat. As Hebrews reminds us:
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, NIV)
The assembly thus became a space of transition and continuity, where Brazilian bishops, faithful to apostolic tradition and attentive to the signs of the times, worked to update evangelization pathways for their specific reality. Over nine hundred amendments were considered, demonstrating the care and broad participation in developing these guidelines that will direct communities, parishes, and dioceses across the national territory.
The Heart of the New Guidelines: Evangelization in the 21st Century
What does it mean to evangelize in today's Brazil? The new guidelines emerge as a response to this fundamental question. It's not about changing the Gospel message – which is eternal – but rethinking how to proclaim Jesus Christ in a world marked by digital speed, religious pluralism, and profound social transformations. Evangelization, as Vatican II teaches us, must always be new in its ardor, methods, and expression.
The bishops recognized that the Church in Brazil faces specific challenges: growing secularization in large cities, the vitality of base ecclesial communities in rural areas, the need for dialogue with indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures, and the cries of the poor that continue echoing in their unequal society. The guidelines seek to provide a map for navigating these complex realities, always with eyes fixed on Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
A central aspect of the document is the emphasis on synodality – the idea that all baptized are called to walk together, listening to one another and discerning God's will collectively. As Saint Paul wrote:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-5, NIV)This communal vision of mission contrasts with individualistic approaches and invites every Christian to discover their place in God's great project for Brazil.
Liturgy as Source and Summit
Parallel to work on evangelization guidelines, the assembly approved new forms for liturgical celebrations. This isn't merely a ritual detail, but a deep understanding that liturgy is both source and summit of Christian life. Updating liturgical texts means allowing the Church's prayer to speak more directly to Brazilian hearts, using language and symbols that resonate with their culture.
The renewed liturgy aims to be a school of discipleship, where the faithful don't just attend but actively participate in the celebrated mystery. Each Eucharist, each baptism, each celebration of the Word becomes an evangelizing moment par excellence, where we encounter the living Christ and are sent forth on mission.
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