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 published: 2006-10-13

To Save the Family

Pastoral - Theological Symposium on the family

 

Simposio teologico-pastoral: La familia en la posmodernidad

Theological-pastoral symposium: Postmodern Family

Theologisch-pastorales Forum über Familie in der Postmoderne

 

Hna. Maria da Graça Sales

Sister Maria da Graça Sales

Schwester Maria da Graça Sales

 

Coreografia

Choreography

Choreographie

 

Aparece Don João Pozzobon

John Pozzobon on the stage

Joao Pozzobon betritt die Bühne

 

P. Alexandre Awi de Mello

Fr. Alexandre Awi de Mello

P. Alexandre Awi de Mello

 

Santa Misa en la aula universitaria

Holy Mass in the hall

Heilige Messe im Hörsaal

Fotos: Vassoler © 2006

 
   

BRAZIL, Paula Cristina Cassis. On September 19-17, 2006, the city of Londrina was the headquarters for the First Pastoral -Theological Symposium on the family. It was coordinated by Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello. Approximately 150 persons from various Brazilian states attended. The conference, whose main topic was "Joao Luiz Pozzobon, evangelizer of the family in the post-modern age," began with a theological debate on fundamental questions which families face in what we call the post-modern age – an age which openly ignores its true contours or lines.

This age reflects that freedom, justice, and truth have ceased to be points of reference. It is a time of profound anthropological changes where the market is prevalent on the life of the world and man has given up his ability to investigate what is beyond his estimation. It is a continuous process of channeling, demonstrating that "it becomes possible to live without an ideal and without a supernatural aim" (Lipovetsky).

In this context, we meet Joao Luiz Pozzobon and his pastoral project "to save the family" rescuing Christian values and above all, he himself embodying in his own life the model of a husband, dedicated father and lay missionary. He believed, strove and spent his entire life defending the "invaluable good" of the family (Benedict XVI) according to the idea of the Creator.

The family – the most important social institution

Professor Bishop Doctor Joao Carlos Petrini, Bishop of Salvador, opened the event with his dissertation where he tackled the possibilities and the problems of the family in the post-modern age.

In a broad and consistent way, he highlighted the drama which modern society experiences as it faces technological advances like the birth control pill or assisted fertilization which separates love from sexuality and procreation. Even more so, it has also taken maternity as an option of fulfillment and no longer as a divine gift.

Defending the family as the most important social institution which contains the affective, communicative and structural dimension of the human being, Bishop Petrini concluded his dissertation by outlining a comparative picture with the main characteristics of a nuptial relationship and an occasional relationship. On the same, he outlined, respectively, the opposing values of both ideas like….. totality and partiality, cooperation between the sexes and the lack of commitment, satisfaction and pleasure. He also highlighted the importance of the sacrament of matrimony which encourages in daily life the presence of the Resurrected.

José Aloyseo Bzuneck, professor at the State University of Londrina, was the second speaker on the first day of the Symposium. He brought up another question very relevant to society: the father-figure in today’s family requires that love conquers physical fatigue and other daily obstacles and is always present in the life of the child.

The biggest mistake made by the heads of the families in the post-modern age is to believe that their role is limited to supplying the material and economic needs of the child when the true lack lies in the attachment to the image of the father. In most cases, surveys show that the cause of adolescent delinquency is due to the lack of attachment or contact with the father.

According to psychologists, the fathers are the answer and they have a decisive influence on the internalization of values in their children according to how they love their children and how these experience that love on a daily basis.

The Blessed Virgin as an example of humanity

He highlighted in Joao Luiz Pozzobon the education for "sacrifice"…..educating the child according to simple words…..filled with life as Pozzobon….."not wanting everything, but wondering what he will be like when he grows up?"

Sister María da Graca Sales Henriquez was in charge of the last lecture of the day: "Mary, example of humanity in the Marian spirituality of Joao Luiz Pozzobon." In her lecture, based on the Mariology of important present-day theologians, she demonstrated the Blessed Virgin as an example of humanity precisely for the present times. In continuation, she referred to the Marian spirituality of Pozzobon showing how in his attitude of poverty and in his awareness of smallness, Pozzobon illustrated with his life the thesis of the conference.

The first day of the Symposium ended with a very beautiful cultural presentation which took place in the gymnasium of the Mother of God School. Members of the Schoenstatt Boys and Girls Youth Groups, and children and teachers from the Mother of God School portrayed scenes in the life of Joao Luiz Pozzobon in three epochs….. respectively represented by an adolescent, a youth and by one of Pozzobon’s children, Humberto Pozzobon. The program had in the background a united family which separates because of selfishness, infidelity, rage and becomes reunited through contact with the Pilgrim MTA. In this scene, they highlighted Pozzobon’s awakening to his mission and his encounter with the Shrine of the Mother Thrice Admirable from which he fulfilled his life’s mission. This culminates in Pozzobon’s missionary work…..taking the image of the Virgin to homes, schools, hospitals and jails…..praying the rosary and preaching the Word. This was all done in what he called the "campaign" which today has spread throughout the entire world. Lastly, Joao Pozzobon, portrayed by his son, Humberto, appears as an heroic missionary taking the Pilgrim MTA which has now spread to the five continents.

Sunday began with a presentation by the family of Dr. Aron and Regina Petruci. They spoke on the role of the family in the formation of the citizen.

Among rights and social duties, the right to a life of dignity for the human being was emphasized. The foundation of our Western civilization which is affirmed in Greek philosophy…..in the Christian religion and in Roman law…..entered into crisis. The loss of a natural reference to God and the advancement of a hedonistic and materialistic society is confirmed today. In addition to this, rights as the will of the majority are affirmed.

The natural language in the post-modern age, untiringly repeated by the media, reveals the challenges which the family must face in order to form citizens. Typical expressions are….."we want to have" and "we want to buy"….. often diminishing a person’s life goals to quantitative aims.

My family, my first apostolate

Pozzobon, in addition to being a citizen who fulfilled his civic obligations, was a merchant and as such worked ardently to support his family. He was also someone who "strove for the dignity of man in service to the most needy" without abandoning his daily obligations as the father of a family.

Afterward, Sister María da Graca invited Professor Olindo Toaldo, Dr. José Luiz and Carmen Silva da Costo Porto, Marcelo and Gislaine Mafra, and Humberto and Nair Pozzobon to form the panel for "My family, my first apostolate."

Based on official teaching and illustrated by Pozzobon’s words, several of them gave witness as to how the families who participated in the "campaign" initiated by Pozzobon, take the family as their first and most important apostolate.

Pozzobon’s pastoral task through the campaign

Father Professor Alexandre Awi Mello was the last speaker of the day. He had the task of presenting Pozzobon’s pastoral work by means of the campaign as a response to the challenges faced by the family in the post-modern age…..to concretely present anew many present-day ecclesial and pastoral topics which develop the evangelizing potential they contain…..and to demonstrate their efficacy when they are based on a spirituality such as was lived by Pozzobon.

Fr. Antonio Bracht, President of the Schoenstatt Presidium in Brazil, brought the Symposium to a close. He thanked all who collaborated in making the Symposium a reality and invited those present to a future event which would bring continuity to the Symposium which had just ended.

Translation Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA

 


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