The first Church of the Shalom Community: the Church of the Risen Lord who passed through the Cross, was dedicated on Friday, November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, in a celebration presided over by Archbishop Gregório Paixão, OSB, metropolitan archbishop of Fortaleza-CE. More than six thousand people attended the celebration in person last night.
Moysés Azevedo, founder of the Shalom Community, commented on the Mass and introduced the faithful with an explanation of the rite of Dedication:
“Dedicating a church means that God is present in it forever; Eucharistic worship and Christian worship will be instituted forever in this temple,” said Moysés.
In addition to Bishop Gregório, the Mass was concelebrated by Bishop José Negri, Bishop of Santo Amaro, Bishop José Antônio Tosi Marques, Archbishop Emeritus of Fortaleza, Bishop José Luis Gomes de Vasconcelos, Bishop of Sobral and Bishop Edmilson Cruz. Wagner Ferreira, president of Canção Nova, and Fr. João Wilkes Chagas, a member of the CCSh General Council responsible for the community’s clergy.
Symbolisms of Dedication
The celebration took place according to the proper rite of Dedication, but was marked by symbols and expressions of the Shalom Charism. The liturgy of the word was performed by members of the Life Community and Covenant Community, both married and celibate. Another detail was the music ministry, made up of more than seventy ministers. The songs were composed especially for this occasion.
The laying of the relics of the holy bastions of vocation, St. Francis and St. Teresa of Jesus, as well as St. John Paul II, on the altar of the church, were also other highlights of the rite.
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Thomas and his experience with the Risen Jesus
During his homily, Bishop Gregorio delved into the Gospel of John 20:19, talking about a very “characteristic” character for the Shalom vocation: Thomas. “There’s nothing worse than betting all your cards on a project and it not working out. Today’s Gospel speaks to us of frustration,” referring to the feeling of fear for the Jews that the disciples found themselves in.
The cleric also said that there was a feeling of darkness in the apostle’s heart: “Everything seemed deeply dark to him… Well, there was also the fear of what was outside, because if they killed his master, they could kill him. Not just the doors of the house, but also of the heart.”
With the visit of the Risen Jesus, “there is no more death, now everything has changed, everything is light. If at that moment everyone was afraid, his word says: Peace. Peace, he repeats, for life to be redeemed. Jesus’ goal is Thomas’ heart, my heart and your heart,” assures Bishop Gregorio.
Thomas’ exclamation when he touched Jesus’ open side “My Lord and my God” was defined by Bishop Gregorio as “a cry of faith and hope”.
“With Jesus, we are able to overcome frustrations. Jesus comes to enlighten us, but we need to touch the wounds of the Risen Lord in order to touch the wounds of our doubt,” he said.
Mission to open doors
With the Lord’s appearance to the disciples, Jesus also sends out a missionary message. Keep in your heart: “Blessed are those who have not seen but have believed. “May the doors be opened so that we are able to welcome. From within, may we have the courage to go out and bring the Life of the Lord to every corner.”
On the occasion, Bishop Gregorio stressed that the dedication “means that all of us, so small, want to build something big and definitive for God and for our brothers and sisters. It is a gift that God gives us through his Son through the sacrament of the Eucharist. He added: “How much beauty welcomes us in this temple, how much joy of those who designed this house for us. How much joy for the brothers and sisters who will be reconciled through this temple. This is the great grace that is given at this moment”.
Still on the subject, he revealed that the Lord’s appearance to the disciples also marks their missionary sending. He asked the faithful to keep Jesus’ words in their hearts: “Blessed are those who have not seen but have believed”;
“May the doors be opened so that we are able to welcome. From within, may we have the courage to go out and bring the Life of the Lord to every corner.”
“The Lord God chose this place as sacred ground for his love and mercy to shine forth. May we participate in this beauty, we are living stones of the Lord and here, fortified, may we carry the word of the Lord,” said the celebrant.
Handing over the keys of the church
After the Eucharistic liturgy, a procession of missionaries and professionals involved in the construction handed the Archbishop of Fortaleza the keys to the Church of the Risen Lord that had passed through the Cross. The gesture symbolizes unity with the Church present in the diocese, which is a sign of the door already opened by the bishop, and through which all are invited to enter.
In addition to the more than six thousand people present in the Church of the Risen Lord, during the broadcast, more than three thousand people followed the Mass of Dedication of the Church of the Risen Lord, which passed through the Cross. The video allowed missionaries and members of Obra Shalom from various places where the charism is spread to watch the celebration and be moved by every moment.
Ronny Tominaga, one of the viewers commented: “Historic day for the entire Shalom Catholic Community that will remain in our hearts forever! Thank you Lord Jesus!”. Ariane Rosa wrote: “Blessed be God! What a magnificent day! Day of great Grace….How unfathomable, Lord, are your works in our midst! We are yours! We love you!”.
Here are the best moments from the Dedication of the Church of the Risen Lord:
