“In Brazil, I met simple people with a solid faith”

From Michigan (USA), Father Piero Masolo, missionPime's ario tells us about his trip to Brazil and other experiences

Dear friends, this month of April has begun in Brazil, where I went for the PIME America Regional Council.

It was important to meet with Father Joseph, Brother Silvio, Father Raul, and Father Patrick to work on the budgets that the various area treasurers (Brazil, Mexico, and the United States) had prepared, which allow us to live as a community and plan the various necessary expenses for this year and next.

Of course, economics is not the most exciting topic, but it is truly essential to missione.

It was wonderful to spend the Triduum and Easter with Fr. Ace and his communities on the outskirts of São Paulo, both in the parish of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos, in the chapel of São Gabriel, and in the Ancheita favela.

I met simple people with a strong faith, who know how to rejoice even in life's difficulties. I saw beauty where I would not have expected it, for example, in the tiny garden of the chapel of São José, surrounded by shacks. I saw firsthand the selfless commitment of those who go out of their way for their community, because they feel at home. And that's no small thing.

I was able to visit the huge Marian sanctuary of Aparecida, which welcomes over 12 million pilgrims each year. It all began over three centuries ago, in 1717, when three fishermen found first the body and then the head of a small statue of the Virgin Mary.

How did it end up in the river near their village? No one can say, but after finding it, the three go back to fishing, having yet to catch anything, and suddenly the catch becomes incredibly abundant, miraculous.

Since then, many graces have been requested and received, and a small chapel has transformed into one of the largest basilicas in the world. From Aparecida, I continued by bus to Rio de Janeiro, where in less than 24 hours (all the time I had!) I was able to walk the wonderful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, enjoy the sunset over the ocean, and climb Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado, from where the great statue of Christ the Redeemer dominates and blesses the city. Rio is a city of breathtaking beauty, with beaches, bays, lakes, and mountains that blend seamlessly into its diverse neighborhoods.

As soon as I got home to Detroit, I was able to “accompany” Pope Leo's trip to Algeria, thanks to the request of TV2000 to comment on his arrival at Algiers airport, his speech to the country's authorities at the Monument to the Martyrs of the Revolution (i.e. the partisans who died during the war of independence from France), and his visit to the Great Mosque.

It was an incredible feeling: I felt like I was there, with so many people I recognized from the images on the screen. The motto of the trip was: Assalam AlaikumPeace be with you. A daily greeting on the streets of Algiers, like saying hello, but with a much deeper meaning, one I've said many times myself.

In this time of polarization and war, it seems truly necessary to build a "disarmed and disarming" peace, as the Pope has never tired of repeating, retracing the steps of Saint Augustine, Saint Charles de Foucauld, and the Blessed Martyrs of Algeria.

Two weeks ago, we had the PIME United States assembly: 10 missionWe spent three days together writing about the meaning of our presence here. Something neither obvious nor simple, but absolutely constructive.

Last week we experienced a Vocations Jam with Wayne State University students in DetroitWe gathered together several priests, nuns, religious brothers, and young people, and we shared who we are. I was struck by the quality of the young people's listening, as they asked themselves a myriad of questions about their lives.

Last weekend we started the 2026 season of the Mission Appeals going to us in Minneapolis With Father Fernando. Two different parishes in the city welcomed us: Saint Helena and Saint Bridget, with lay people involved in their respective communities. One of them, John, gave me a book he wrote, "Two x Two," with a picture of two priests on the cover. I just started reading it and it looks fun.

I wish you a good month of May and I hug you

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