The definitive YES of Brother Murilo Bertoldi
The Province of Brasil Centro-Sul experienced a time of great happiness, fraternal joy and profound gratitude on the 7th May 2006: the perpetual profession of Brother Murilo Bertoldi.
In the chapel of Santa Luzia, in the city of Brusque, Brother Murilo pronounced his definitive YES to God during Mass presided by Bishop JosĂ© Negri, the local auxiliary bishop and friend of the professed. The perpetual vows were received by Brother TercĂlio Sevegnani, Provincial, and pronounced before many parents, friends, parishioners, students, teachers and about sixty brothers and young people in Marist formation. The General Councillors, Antonio Carlos Ramalho and Pedro Herreros, on their canonical visit, were also present.
The ambiance of the festivities, the songs and the liturgical rites, carried out with art and devotion, and the ceremony of the perpetual profession, with its various stages, deeply touched the hearts of the participants. The emotion at certain times even provoked some tears of joy among some.
We would like to highlight particularly the words of the bishop inspired by the Spiritual Testament of Father Champagnat, insisting on unity and fraternal love. Other highlights included the place of honour given to the images of the Good Mother, of Saint Marcellin Champagnat and of Saint Luzia, the welcoming of the Word of God, the offertory procession with objects recalling aspects of Brother Murilo?s life, the singing of the Salve Regina at the end of Mass, the reception of the parish community, etc.
Brother Murilo delivered the following message: ?Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I have chosen as a motto the phrase ?Love one another?. I believe that the tragedy of life is not that men and women die, but that they stop loving. I believe that love of neighbour is the secret of happiness. I believe that we are all born to love. That is the origin of existence and my sole aim. I believe that the one who loves accomplishes a great deal. Finally, brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe that love does not age. Thus, let us love intensely. Many thanks!?
As often happens on such occasions, there was a vocation week in the local area. It was organised by members of the Vocations Ministry of the Province, under the co-ordination of Brothers Joaquim Sperandio and Reni Voss, and in harmony with the local Church. It allowed one to better understand a vocation and it exhorted the people to respond generously. A fraternal meal completed the festivities and nourished all those present physically and affectively.