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Natal solidario: Com a MTA pelas ruas de São Paulo Navidad solidaria: Con la MTA por las calles de San Pablo Christmas in Solidarity: With the MTA on the streets of Sao Paulo Solidarische Weihnachten: Mit der MTA auf den Straßen von Sao Paulo |
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A Sagrada Família na Noite Santa La Sagrada Familia en la Nochebuena The Holy Family in the Holy Night Die Heilige Familie in der Heiligen Nacht |
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Na Santa Casa En el hospital Santa Casa In the Hospital Santa Casa Im Krankenhaus Santa Casa |
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Um Feliz Natal e um sorriso Feliz Natal y una sonrisa Merry Christmas and a smile Frohe Weihnachten und ein Lächeln |
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Compartilhando com os mais pobres durante a Noite Santa Compartiendo con los mas pobres durante la Nochebuena Sharing with the poorest ones in the Holy Night Teilen mit den Ärmsten in der Heiligen Nacht |
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Com os pastores das ruas de hoje Con los pastores de las rutas de hoy With the shepherds of today’s streets Bei den Hirten der heutigen Straßen |
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Fotos: Bernardes © 2007 |
BRAZIL, Rev. Mateus Bernardes. 25th December, 02:00am...a group of young people met at the parish church of Our Lady Conceived in Jaraguá. We were a group of about 60 young people...our mission: to go through the streets of the largest city in Brazil wishing a Merry Christmas to all those, for whichever reason, were unable to celebrate Christmas with their families.
It all started with a very informal discussion amongst some of us towards the end of November…"what can we do to take the real spirit of Christmas to others?" Upon remembering something that is already happening in La Plata, Argentina, we decided that, after celebrating Christmas with our families, we would go out onto the streets of São Paulo to take the spirit of the birth of Christ to all those we would meet along the way.
In the beginning, our intention was to go only to the main fire station and hospitals. However, it happened that Providence had a surprise for us along the way: we met many homeless people, especially those who sleep below the "Elevado Costa e Silva" (the well-known "wormheap"). At the entrance to Arouche Square we found many children….and it was a real party! We took the Auxiliary Pilgrim Mother belonging to the "Diocese" of Brasilandia and two youngsters were dressed in the characters of Mary and Joseph: they carried an image of the Christ-Child in the arms and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Not only did we give out Christmas wishes but also shared a slice of panettone and a glass of cold drink with those we met. It was something simple but it truly encompassed the meaning of Christmas Night.
Our Shared Christmas came to an end at 07.00am of the 25th at the Vila Mariana Shrine. There, once again, we adored the Christ-Child and had the opportunity to meditate that the message of Christmas is cherished only by the poorest of the poor (the shepherds of the street): to all those that put aside the paraphernalia of Christmas and centre around the Miracle of Christmas Night, God makes himself a child and lives inside of us.
Meanwhile in Caieiras...
For several years, the Apostolic Schoenstatt Youth of Caieiras has prayed a Christmas Novena and upon conclusion, they hand out toys among the needy children of the city. Caieiras is situated in the north of São Paulo and many of its neighbourhoods suffer the consequences of marginalisation in a big city.
The theme for the Novena this year was that of the Fifth Latin-American Bishops’ Conference: disciples and missionaries of Jesus, so that through Him our people may have life. How can one be a disciple, how can one be a missionary at Christmas time? Once again, by living the true spirit of Christmas, the spirit of the birth of Jesus Christ and taking this message to the poorest and to the insignificant.
This year, the distribution of toys began on the morning of the 24th in a shanty town in Vila Rosina (the neediest neighbourhood in the city). Children came from everywhere to receive a gift, but more importantly, before anything else, we remembered the meaning of this celebration. We proceeded to the parish hall of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Poor and there more gifts were handed out…
And so...the youth move through the streets and neighbourhoods of the largest city in the country and proclaim the message of Christmas to the shepherds of today: Be glad for salvation has come to you, the Son of God is born! Jesus is among us!
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa