The Congregation of Holy Cross’s District of Brazil had a twofold joy on June 25 as both Mr. José Soares da Silva Filho, C.S.C., and Mr. Valman Fernandes Barbosa, C.S.C., made their Perpetual Professions in a festive Mass at São José do Jaguaré Parish in the city of São Paulo.

Br. Thomas Dziekan, C.S.C., Superior of the Moreau Province which oversees the District of Brazil, received the religious’ vows in the presence of their confreres, family members, friends, colleagues in ministry, and other well-wishers. There was a very good turnout of Holy Cross sisters, brothers, and priests, including Fr. Elmer Caro, C.S.C., Fr. Rodrigo Valenzuela, C.S.C., and Fr. Carlos Jacobo de los Santos, C.S.C., who came from Peru, Chile, and Mexico respectively for a meeting of vocation directors in Latin America.

Fr. José de Souza Paim, C.S.C., a priest of the District of Brazil, presided at the Mass, and Br. Ronaldo Almeida, C.S.C., Superior of the District of Brazil, offered words of gratitude and spiritual exhortation to the newly finally professed after Communion. Following the Mass, there was a festive lunch for the invited guests in the parish hall where the celebration continued. 

Learn more about the work of Holy Cross in Brazil

Mr. José Soares da Silva Filho, C.S.C., (left) comes from the Northeastern state of Pernambuco in Brazil. An only child, José made his First Profession at the novitiate in Huaycán, Perú, on January 6, 2017. After four years of formation in Santiago, Chile, he returned to Brazil in 2021, where he served in campus ministry at Colégio Notre Dame in Campinas and been completing his theology at Centro Universitário Claretiano. A religious with great joy and energy, José enjoys working with the youth and sharing Christ with them.

Mr. Valman Fernandes Barbosa, C.S.C., (right), is from the Amazonian state of Maranhão. He also professed his First Vows on January 6, 2017, at the novitiate in Huaycán, Perú. After two years of philosophy in Santiago, Chile, he went to Belo Horizonte in Brazil to continue his studies and initial formation. Supported by a strong devotional and liturgical prayer life, Valman enjoys life in community and is committed to working with apostolic zeal with the underprivileged and those who live on the peripheries.