The Shalom Catholic Community experienced a profound moment of ecclesial communion on May 21 and 22. Founder Moysés Azevedo and General Assistant Fr. Saulo Dantas traveled to the Vatican to participate in the gathering with general moderators of pontifical-right movements and new communities. The high point of the event was the audience with Pope Leo XIV — a milestone of listening and renewal for charisms in today’s world.
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A Time of “Kairos” and Ecclesial Communion
For Fr. Saulo Dantas, the opportunity to be at the heart of the Church and share about the mission alongside leaders from many different realities was an extraordinary experience of grace.
“The gathering of all these charisms at the heart of the Church is undoubtedly a moment of great kairos — kairos because of the communion being formed and the prayer offered together for the Church and for the work of evangelization,” the priest said.
According to the General Assistant, one of the most striking moments of the program was the recitation of the Rosary in the Vatican Gardens, where all the moderators walked together, entrusting their respective communities, lives, and missionary initiatives to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Governing Means Serving
Unlike previous editions, this year’s gathering included two intense days of reflection centered on the governance of communities, always in light of the Church’s Magisterium and fidelity to the original charism.
Reflecting on the guidance given by Pope Leo XIV to founders and moderators, Moysés Azevedo highlighted the sensitivity and depth of the Pontiff’s words, noting that he used a nautical image to illustrate spiritual leadership.
“The Pope reminded us that governing a community is like steering a boat, guiding a ship. Those who stand at the helm do not occupy a place of privilege, but place themselves entirely at the service of communion,” Moysés explained.
According to the founder, this dynamic unfolds in two fundamental dimensions:
- Communion within the community: fostering care and unity among the members of the community itself.
- Communion with the whole Church: synodality and filial obedience to the pastors and to the guidance of the Holy See.
Leo XIV also offered an important warning to leaders: those responsible must never “use” the charism for personal interests, but rather spend their lives in service to it.
Synodality in Practice
The moderators also had the opportunity to greet the Holy Father personally. For Moysés, being able to speak directly with Pope Leo XIV was an opportunity to express the love of the entire Shalom Community for the Pontiff.
For him, the gathering represented the concrete expression of synodality: walking together, discerning together, and serving together.
The event reinforced the identity of New Communities as living and legitimate forces of evangelization, ready to respond to the challenges of the modern world under the guidance of the Successor of Peter.
