Floods in Brazil - 2021

Hail, O Queen, to You we cry in this vale of tears!

We, Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady, of Nossa Senhora do Rosário fraternity, missionaries of the Teotônio Vilela - Ilhéus/Bahia district, experienced the birth of Jesus incarnate in communion and solidarity with our brothers who were victims of the last floods, when the waters of the river invaded the streets, homes and businesses.

It was a heartbreaking situation in our diocese of Ilhéus. We were all touched and felt helpless to see the cry of so many brothers up close.  In the  midst of  so many gloomy faces, an old man shouts when he sees us, the three sisters and a neighboring couple: “My sisters, let us pray that the waters calm down! “And with breathless voices, we managed to pray together, raising our hands to the river and asking Our Lady to go ahead and reduce the flow of the river.

After two days it started to go down. The poor cried and Yahweh heard him! Our communion intensified with solidarity networks, as many brothers arrived to share food, clothing and hygiene materials. In addition to individual solidarity, public and private organizations have mobilized to help people affected by the floods.

Offering the best of ourselves, in our poverty, we welcome families to our school and serve meals. We support the parishes of the diocese of Ilhéus in the organization and distribution of soup and bread. To all of us, Sr. Cristiane Bastos, Sr. Irene Santana and Sr. Maria das Virgens, who lived around our brothers in this tragedy, they taught us that faith in Jesus conquers all. In a family spirit, our sisters in Sergipe organized raffles to raise funds to help the homeless in Bahia.

The mission of an outgoing Church has encouraged us to go to the existential peripheries for a synodal Church. The family visit mission continues. Basic needs are already met. Now, the challenge is to give these families back a minimum of dignity.

Charity loves everything that God loves. (Mr. Louise Mabille)