It was for Fr. Stefano Manelli and Fr. Gabriel Pelletieri, founders of the Franciscans of the Immaculate who will make Kolbe's dream a reality. This is actually what is happening in our mission in Brazil.

The Shrine of Immaculate Coredemptrix

The center of any "City of the Immaculate" unlike any secular city must first begin with the place where Christ the Eucharistic King must have a dwelling place - a sanctuary. It is in here that the power to work in apostolate and its efficacy for the salvation of souls flows. There is no fitting way to give due honor to Christ than to make a sanctuary in honor of Immaculate Coredemptrix. Immaculate, because she was made worthy by God's design in order to become Mother of God; Coredemptrix, because she played a unique and objective role in subordination with Christ for the redemption of the world.

Hence, the plan to have the shrine dedicated to Mary was born. It was on February 2, 2005, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (a fitting feast for Coredemption) that the laying of the cornerstone took place and was presided by Dom Manoel Pestana Filho, bishop of Anapolis, Goias. The day was graced by the presence of Fr. Stefano Manelli, founder and Minister General of the Institute. The land where the shrine is erected was donated by the bishop who was inspired by the prophecy of St. John Bosco to be "as center of spiritual revival for the Americas." In the presence of numerous aspirants, postulants, sisters and benefactors, the day was filled with heartfelt gratitude from all hearts as they look forward to see the house of God erected.

Construction began through the generous help of benefactors in Italy, but was halted due to financial constraint and the need to help other missions of the Institute. Until now the project has stopped due to lack of funds. And it has been several years now. We hope that somebody will help us finish this shrine which will be the very first in Brazil, to be dedicated to Immaculate Coredemptrix. At the present moment there are only bare walls and steel support. The walls are made up of clay. Due to lack of roof and constant rain, we are afraid that it will ruin the unfinished structure. We are hoping that there will be generous benefactors who can help us out.

Vocations Flourish

Part of the City of the Immaculate is the presence of numerous vocations who work for the cause of Mary Immaculate. This is a dream that is becoming a reality in our mission in Brazil. Under the leadership of the superior of the mission, Fr. Bonaventure M. Valles, several vocations came to join our Institute in different parts of Brazil and Latin America. One of the most important factors for young men to be inspired to join religious life is the witness of faithful observance of religious discipline in the community. They speak thousands of words than mere erudite vocation campaign. Cheerfulness and inner joy that exude from one's love of his own vocation is a contagious fire that draws another to imitate and follow. In Brazil, the tendency of young men and of the populace in general is to have that kind of religion which borders on pietism and sentimentalism. These can never be an assurance of holy perseverance in any religious commitment. Hence, to provide solid catechesis on spiritual life based on the examples of the saints and principles laid down by the Magisterium and Tradition is a guarantee of cultivating deeper commitment on religious vocation. But above all, it is fidelity to prayer life that draws vocation. Vocation is a gift from God. God will only draw men and women to a community whom He knows will provide a sure path to salvation and sanctification for these vocations. It is contrary to divine wisdom, that He sends vocations to a community that will lead them to loose their souls.

The Orphanage "Home of Padre Pio"

Catholics in the past two decades suffer from want of solid religious instruction not only in the faith but even in basic fundamental human values. As a consequence, generations have produced leaders of groups, parishes and nations that are incompetent in the dynamic of human affairs. To avoid these consequences was the intention, though not exclusive, why our mission in Brazil started to build an orphanage known as the "House of Charity of St. Pio of Pietrelcina", located in Anapolis, Goias. The orphanage was completed by the assistance of numerous benefactors especially from Italy who wanted to see it realized. The orphanage provides a place for displaced children of the streets to have warm home to live. This orphanage for girls is run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate who serve as their mentors in the fragile early stage of their lives. The lack of tangible witness of human values brought about by rampant divorce, single motherhood, worldly upbringing, have contributed to a devastating effect in the formation of human and moral values in the children. The sisters, by their life of service and commitment give opportunity for these children to know that it is not just only possible to be human, it is also possible, a great one for that matter, to become saints. May this orphanage serve not only as a place of providing physical shelter to the homeless children of Brazil, but also, a school of saints.

With all that has been said about how much has been done by our missionaries in Brazil since its very beginning in the early 90's, one can see still a vast horizon that needs to be done. To rest is the saints' great agony for they will never rest until they see as many as possible souls brought to the feet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In our mission in Brazil, the dream of the City of the Immaculate, becomes a reality.