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A Citizen called Solidarity*

On August 9, 1997, Betinho, from Bocaiúva, Minas Gerais state, returned to the Spiritual World. I believe that one of the main contributions of the late sociologist was the mobilization of Solidarity throughout Brazil. Reason why he founded the...

Rescuing One’s Citizenship

Originating from the Legion of Good Will’s permanent campaign against hunger and in favor of citizenship, which was launched by Alziro Zarur*1 (1914-1979) at the end of the 1940s with the popular “Soup for the Poor” initiative, the...

Reflecting, Praying, and Acting in Solidarity

Since the early hours of Monday, February 6th, we have all been moved by the consequences of the earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, whose epicenter was the city of Kahramanmaras, in southwestern Turkey, close to the border with Syria,...

Solidarity

Prayer, Unity, and Hope

A tribute to the Chapecoense delegation, including players, journalists, crew, and other passengers

The world is once again united in demonstrations of faith and fraternity at a time of great pain. Moving gestures of affection and support from various parts of our planet marked November 29, 2016, when the aircraft taking the Chapecoense Soccer Association delegation, including players, Brazilian press professionals, crew, and other passengers to Colombia crashed close to La Unión, near Medellin, leaving 71 dead and 6 survivors (until the closing of this edition). The dear team from Santa Catarina State was on its way to play Atlético Nacional in the first leg of the South American Cup finals.

Divulgação

Profoundly moved by this sad happening, I request your permission at this time to pray, as I try to mitigate the suffering of families, friends of the victims, and the people of Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, of Brazil, and the World. These are the modest words I addressed to Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman, in Santa Maria do Arnoso, Portugal, on December 10, 2001.

At Jesus’ Feet

Jesus, You are the mercy of all those who suffer, the Providence of the sufferers and the afflicted. Oh Sublime Educator, Master of Infinite Serenity, Celestial Soul, reflection of all Generosity, Divine Power of our belief and our Faith, in Whom we permanently place our trust! We love You!

Tela: Carl Bloch (1834-1890)

Jesus, You are the Greatest and Best of Friends, the Decipherer of all the mysteries and equations of the Infinite Universe.

Oh Lord! Lead us with Your Safe Hands along the illuminated paths that only You know, towards the destination that You have raised for us, Your humble servants, according to the merits of each one, because You are the Accomplisher of the Most Correct Determinations of the Justice that comes from God, Our Father.

We always trust in You, Faithful Friend of those who, in this and in the Other World, fight unceasingly to materialize Your Kingdom, as You announced in Love, Spirit, Justice, and Life.

According to Your Words in the Gospel and in the Apocalypse, we know that You only expect us to be steadfast in Faith and undefeatable in our work efforts.

Those who truly believe in You do not waste their time.

We trust in You, with utmost faith.

Humbly kneeling at Your Feet we pledge this promise in the form of prayer.

Receive, oh Lord, our heartfelt supplication.

To all those undergoing this time of mourning, we extend our solidarity. We ask the Heavenly Father to comfort their hearts so that, strengthened, they can rebuild their lives. To those who have unexpectedly gone but who remain alive, because the dead do not die, we send our most elevated vibrations of Peace.

José de Paiva Netto is a writer, journalist, radio broadcaster, composer, and poet. He is the President of the Legion of Good Will (LGW), effective member of the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) and of the Brazilian International Press Association (ABI-Inter). Affiliated to the National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Union of Professional Journalists of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Union of Writers of Rio de Janeiro, the Union of Radio Broadcasters of Rio de Janeiro, and the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC). He is also a member of the Academy of Letters of Central Brazil. He is an author of international reference in the concept and defense of the cause of Ecumenical Citizenship and Spirituality which, according to him, constitute “the cradle of the most generous values that are born of the Soul, the dwelling of the emotions and of the reasoning enlightened by intuition, the atmosphere that embraces everything that transcends the ordinary field of matter and comes from the elevated human sensitivity, such as Truth, Justice, Mercy, Ethics, Honesty, Generosity, and Fraternal Love.”