Province of St. Mark

Augustinian Presence in Jaguapita, Brazil

Approximately after 40 years of hard work in the Parish of St. Joseph in Jaguapita, which is situated in the Province of Paraná, the Xaverian Friars left the region, which also included 6 other parishes in the vicinity, in order to stabilize the presence of their mission on the other side of Brazil. During this time, after working for 29 years in the Province of Mato Grosso do Sul in the cities of Paranaíba, Cassilândia, Aparecida do Taboado and Inocência, which forms part of the diocese of Três Lagoas, the Maltese Augustinians decided to leave the area for some time and go to work in the diocese of Londrina in the Province of Paraná. After working for some months in the cities of Rolandia and Pitangueiras, the Archbishop asked the Augustinians to start taking care of the Jaguapita Parish, apart from the other work. On 9th August 1992, Fr. John Pace took possession as parish priest. This parish was established on 28th December 1948. During the celebration of its Golden Jubilee in 1998, we were fortunate enough to have the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Londrina, Mons. Vincent Costa, amongst us in order to lead the celebration of this occasion. Between 25 January and October 1994, the Parish remained without the presence of a priest, although Fr. Francis Saviour Mifsud OSA from the Parish of Rolandia used to administer there. However, the seminarian José Bach (nowadays, he is a priest) and Mons. Victor Groppelli used to go there and give a helping hand. During the months of July and August, the Province chose Fr. Saviour Magro OSA from Malta to go and replace others for 2 months. In October 1994, the Provincial Chapter chose Fr. George Bezzina OSA as a parish priest and Fr. Francis Saviour Mifsud OSA, who was already the parish preist of Pitangueiras, as vice-parish priest of this Parish.

With the definitive presence of these two friars, a new Augustinian community evolved in this city. Throughout these last 12 years, we can say that the Augustinians were a great help in the advancement of the city, especially in the religious, educational and social aspects. Apart from continuing the hard work, which the Xaviers had started, the Augustinians took other new initiatives. Throughout these last 12 years, the M.A.C. (Christian Adolescent Movement) was initiated by the couples of M.F.C., which is a Movement for married Christians. The Movement of Worshippers of the Eucharist was also started and these meet once a week for adoration. It was a big surprise when one of Augustinian friars worked very hard to establish the movement for those with special needs. This Movement has been established for 6 years and with its help, it has generated a lot of respect for all these people and their families. Other changes include the introduction of pavements, special parking places, in banks, public places etc. – all things, which had never been thought of before by these people. Every first Monday of the month, we started celebrating mass in the cemetery. Every first Tuesday of the month, a procession is organized as an act of penitence. This is followed by mass which is sometimes, held in the cemetery, or a city chapel, in front of the prison, in an old people’s home or in a drug rehabilitation centre. We built chapels, halls for the teaching of doctrine in many areas of the parish, which we named after Augustinian saints – St. Augustine, St. Monica, St. Rita and Mother of Good Council. At present, we have started building a hall and a small chapel in a place where around 30 poor families live, some of whom have special needs. We have named it St. Vincent de Paul in respect of the Lay Movement which works hard amongst the poor and the lonely in our parish. We mended or bought new tables and chairs for many of these communities. We have rented a small house, which serves as our community and which we named St. Rita, the saint, who is so loved by these people. Another thing which was of great success is the procession and the blessing of the horses which we hold in January, on the feast of St. Sebastian. When we started it in 1999, only 67 horses and ponies, which came from only our city turned up. However, nowadays, more than 500 animals, coming from 26 other cities take part. The blessing of cars and trucks, which we hold in July on the feast of St. Christopher is gaining also a lot of interest amongst the people since in our city, many are those who depend on this transport, for everyday purposes. In our city, there are around 70 factories, which manufacture billiards, and which are taken to every other city in Brazil. Others sell their handcrafts made from the feet and horns of bulls.

The old people have two groups (movements) – one is led by the major and they meet on Thursday, while the other one was founded by us Friars on 2003. Finally, I must not forget to mention our choirs. The children’s choir, made up of 70 children and adolescents has been in existence for 25 years while the adults choir, made up of 40 persons has been in existence for 10 years.

In the rural areas within the parish limits, we have the following communities:
Fazenda do Cedro: San Luigi Gonzaga (10 Km)
Fazenda Velha Maragogipe: St. Sebastian's Chapel (10 Km)
Fazenda Nova Maragogipe: The Chapel dedicated to Jesus the Forgiver (8 Km)
Fazenda Centenário: St. Lucia's Chapel (17 Km)
Fazenda Água das Pedras: St. Anthony's Chapel (15 Km)
Fazenda Sant' Antnin: St. Anthony's Chapel (11 Km)
St. Anthony's Fazenda (12 Km)
Fazenda Nobre (10 Km)
Fazenda Sovai (8 Km)

Communities close to the parish area:
Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida
Chapel in Franciscan Nuns' Convent
St. Augustine's Chapel
St. Monica's Chapel
Chapel dedicated to the Sacred Family in the Old People's Home
Chapel in Maria's House (a place for rehabilitation and for those infected by AIDS)
St. Vincent de Paul's Chapel
St. Rita's Chapel
Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel