On February 22nd 2007, the Shalom Catholic Community received the Pontifical Recognition as an International Private Association of Faithful and the ad experimentum approval of its Statutes. Five years later, on February 22nd 2012, the Statutes received final approval. By this recognition, the Apostolic See certifies that the Shalom Charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit for the sanctification of the members of the Community and for the service of the Universal Church.
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter which occurs on February 22, is therefore a particularly significant date for the Shalom Community:
The Church, Mother and Teacher, officially welcomes and recognizes in her merciful bosom the seed planted in the hearts of some university students in 1980, in the then small city of Fortaleza – in the then small city of Fortaleza located in one of the historically poorest states of Brazil. It is again proven that the Lord makes His Glory shine by hiding His treasures in poor and unworthy clay vessels…. We who were born at the feet of Peter in the person of Pope John Paul II during the 10th National Eucharistic Congress were recognized at the feet of Peter on the day when the Church celebrates the Petrine ministry. (Emmir Nogueira, co-Founder of Shalom Community)
The Church recognizes the vocation as an authentic way of following the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, attesting that it is a gift for humanity. We remember the words of our beloved pastor and friend in heaven, St. John Paul II, on the occasion of Pentecost 1998: “You are a providential response to the Church today.” We are at the service of the Church. We exist to evangelize. This is God’s grace! The Church bestows upon each one of us the mission, as a Shalom vocation, to freely give what we receive from God. Blessed be the name of the Lord! (Moysés Azevedo, Founder and General Moderator of the Shalom Catholic Community)
