Mission Against the Current: 
Evangelizing in the Land That Welcomed Us

Who would have imagined that Portuguese, with the accents of Brazil’s Northeast, Southeast, or South, would one day echo through French-speaking liturgies in the city of Québec? And yet,it has happened. The Brazilian community, which first began gathering simply to ease the homesickness, has ended up bringing new life to some Catholic communities in the city. What was meant to be simply a warm welcoming place is becoming a real force of pastoral renewal. The missionary map has been turned upside down: now, those who were “missioned” have become missionaries.

It all began about fifteen years ago, in a very simple way, with two initiatives: musical animation every two months at a French Mass in the University chapel, and a women' s rosary group in their homes. As most Brazilian gatherings, with coffee and that special warmth, these activities ended up growing, transforming meetings into meaningful celebrations. Today, the community includes more than fifty families and celebrates a monthly Mass in Portuguese presided over by Bishop Martin Laliberté, P.M.E., coadjutor bishop of Saint-Jean Longueil. A Canadian bishop that served as a missionary in the Brazilian Amazon and carries Brazil deeply in his heart!

But the community’s mission did not stop there. What started as a small music group for Portuguese Masses became a ministry that multiplied greatly. In addition to animating the monthly celebrations, the group now organizes times of Eucharistic adoration in Portuguese and even animates a youth Mass… in French! When the music is beautiful and the heart is sincere, the accent is no longer a barrier, it’s a treasure.

Another example of this “missionary bilingualism” is the altar servers. Before, they served only at Brazilian Masses. Today, they are fully integrated into the Francophone community’s celebrations, from exchanging “a paz de Cristo” in Portuguese for “la paix du Christ” in French with the same joy.

The community is also committed to passing on the faith to the next generations. A youth group in French—yes, in French!—was created to offer a monthly experience of encounter and faith, led with great enthusiasm by Denise Araújo and Silvio Fragata, along with their team. After all, it is not enough to keep the flame alive among Brazilians; new lights must also be kindled wherever we go.

As Denise says: “What motivates me to do this work, in Portuguese and in French, is remembering that the mission was given to us by Christ and He never limited in which language we should proclaim Him. Even with challenges, I believe that we immigrants are called to help rekindle faith (in Québec). A beloved priest once said that ‘along with their suitcases, immigrants also bring the face of the Living Christ.’ That is what moves me: to bring this Christ and share His Word with those who wish to hear it.”

And like any missionary community, the list of activities continues to grow: catechesis in Portuguese, Gospel-sharing groups, and moments of fellowship that mix prayer, friendship, and that irresistible touch of “pão de queijo” (brazilian cheese bread) or “brigadeiro” (chocolate candy balls).

Members of the pastoral team led by Father Pierre Gingras, permanent deacon Frederico Fontes and his wife Isabela Fontes, walk forward with impressive enthusiasm, helping to build bridges between the two linguistic communities.

According to Frederico: “When faith crosses borders, it needs two voices: one that welcomes and another that keeps memory. Celebrating in French is planting the Gospel in the land that welcomed us; celebrating in Portuguese is watering the roots that nourish our memory. And from the dialogue between these two voices, missionary joy is born!”

In short: Brazilian Catholics who join the local community in Québec seeking a new beginning end up bringing new flavour and helping the local Church rediscover the taste of faith. A true “mission against the current,” made not of grand speeches, but of simple gestures, spontaneous joy, and lots of music.

Because, in the end, evangelizing is allowing the Holy Spirit to translate God’s love into every language.