by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
ATCHISON — Thousands of miles separate the monks of Mosteiro São José (St. Joseph Monastery) in Mineiros, Brazil, from the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey here.
But for 12 days this summer, the Brazilians got a taste of the monastic life in Kansas.
Their July 16-28 visit to the archdiocese was packed with fellowship, prayer and local experiences.
“For our community to be able to see them in person [and] interact with them, it takes on a whole new understanding of what it means to be apostolate,” said Abbot James Albers, OSB, of St. Benedict’s Abbey.
Two communities, one mission
Benedictines Bishop Joaquim Carlos Carvalho of the Diocese of Jataí, Father Thiago Ferreira Silva, Brother Romário Wilson Vianna Peron and Brother Domingos Maria Lemes Borges were eager to spend time with the Atchison monks.
The two communities share a rich history that began in 1962.
“Pope John XXIII asked from the North American side if there were people from religious communities who could go down to Latin America,” said Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison.
“Three monks originally from Atchison went down to found the community,” he continued, “and there were others that came through at various points.”
Bishop Joaquim shared how instrumental the Kansas community was during that time.
“In the beginning, the parish and the community in Kansas and Atchison helped financially in the parish and monastery construction in Mineiros in Brazil,” he said.
“The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas would collect once a year,” he continued. “That money helped the parish mission there.”
Father Jeremy explained that for many years, the Atchison monks were involved in a mission appeal co-op to raise funds for the Mineiros community. And over the years, some Atchison monks and Sisters have also served there.
“This is what we would call a dependent priory,” he said, “so it’s dependent upon [St. Benedict’s Abbey], or in the case of the Sisters in Mineiros, their house is dependent upon Mount St. Scholastica [in Atchison].”
“We walk together,” said Father Thiago of the two communities. “We walk with hope in monastic life.”
The Mineiros community now has six monks and four Sisters, and all are native Brazilians. The monks mainly work in a parish — one of three in the city, which alone has 20,000 members — and in education.
“They’re the smallest Benedictine monastery in Brazil, but it’s a community that’s provided three bishops to the church in Brazil,” said Abbot James, who travels there each year, typically for a pastoral visit.
“I meet with the community as a whole on various matters,” he said, “and then [have] individual visits with each monk.”
He’s also visited for ordinations, professional vows, dedication of monasteries and other significant events.
“It’s a vibrant community,” said Abbot James. “But I think of late they’ve really come to understand their place in the city of Mineiros, their place in the church.
“I’m seeing an invigoration of their common life together.”
Prayer and work — and a bit of fun
The Brazilian monks spent their time in Kansas “living like a good Atchison monk,” said Brother Romário.
Seeing the abbey for the first time, “I was amazed and astonished by it,” said Brother Domingos.
A highlight of their trip was an Atchison summer staple: the Amelia Earhart Festival.
“We wanted to have some experiences that were church-related,” said Father Jeremy, who serves as a liaison between the communities, “[and some] that were also more Kansas City-area related.”
They visited the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, and enjoyed a meal from Slap’s BBQ in Kansas City, Kansas.
They also visited the Sisters at the Mount, which was a treat for Brother Romário.
“I met Sister Judith Sutera, [OSB], who writes about Benedictine spirituality,” he said. “I am a fan, so I’m really happy to meet her.”
And they visited with Sister Elaine Gregory, OSB, who worked in Brazil and taught Bishop Joaquim when he was a child.
“It was good to remember and think about silly stuff, think about things as a kid,” he said.
The monks also met with Archbishop Shawn McKnight during their visit.
“He had good hospitality,” said Bishop Joaquim. “He showed interest for what he believed to be [our] essential [ministry] and showed some interest in wanting to visit.”
The group had a translator with them, but at times communication included “a lot of pantomiming going on to try and understand [each other],” said Father Jeremy.
“It’s been great to see the smiles, hear the jokes, start to pick up on a couple of the jokes and then really learn from each other,” he said.
Abbot James is gratified by the impact the Brazilian monks have had on their community and sees a bright future ahead.
“[They have an] ingenuity of understanding how pastoral ministry is lived,” he said. “These guys are reaping the fruit of it now.”
