I want to see justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream

In 2012, those responsible for social ministry in the Brasil Centro-Sul Province began a journey of deepening in the formation of the mystic of social ministry. For the Church, mystagogy is a living and educational practice of deepening the mysteries of faith. This deepening is continuous and takes place in the concrete experience of living the faith and in the sense that is given to the pastoral action, especially with the neediest.

The methodology of the formation gatherings followed the following proposal, distributed in three days:

• Day 1: recognition of the terrain and dialogue with the leaders, analysis of the ecclesial and social situation;
• Day 2: immersion in extreme conditions and intercultural realities (people on the street, interreligious dialogue and others);
• Day 3: formation and notes for the mission.

From the third edition, held in 2014, the meeting has become an interprovincial experience in collaboration with the Provinces Brasil Sul-Amazônia and Brasil Centro-Norte.

The last mystagogical encounter was held from Dec. 5 – 8 in São Paulo, Brazil, with the theme: The dance of the common house – land, house and work under the theme: 

“then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

The immersions that took place in that edition covered the territory of the population in the street, an occupation of the Movement of Homeless Workers and the Ecclesial Base Community of the Catholic diocese of São Miguel Paulista.

In addition to the immersions, the other days of the encounter were filled with the a prophetic and missionary spirit that encouraged the participants in the ministry to commit themselves even more to the Marist mission, especially focusing on children and young people from physical and existential peripheries.