São João Baptista/Brava: Parish priest appeals to the “common sense” of all those involved in profane activities

The pastor of the parishes of Ilha Brava, Friar José Garcia, today asked for a little more “common sense” from Christians, entities and those responsible for profane activities, so that these do not interfere with the “essence” of the feast of São João Baptista.

This request was made in declarations to Inforpress, to present the religious program for the festivities of the patron saint of the municipality of Brava, São João Baptista, celebrated on June 24, lamenting a certain “loss or lack of faith” on the part of Catholic Christians from the island.

According to the same source, the issue of profane activities stands out more than the very essence of the festival of São João Baptista, a concern that the religious says he registered last year, with little involvement of people in the preparations and religious participation.

“Everything that is profane that is being done is attributed to São João Baptista, ball, miss, among others”, lamented the parish priest, stressing that the essence of São João Baptista “is not and never was that”.

This person in charge made it clear that he is not against carrying out these activities, but that it could be given another name.

Speaking of the reality of Catholics in Brava, the community where it is inserted, he considers that faith is often lacking, reinforcing that faith belongs to the church and when it is united, it comes back strong.

“The activities that are carried out tend to cover what the feast of São João really is, which is the one that points to Christ”, he stressed.

He took the opportunity to ask Catholic Christians, people who have faith, to know how to share things, to give one part and the other too, to choose the most important moments and things in life.

He says he is aware that nowadays there are many possibilities for choices, which hinder people and they are left without knowing where the central point is, thus ending up losing and letting the most important thing go unnoticed.

In this sense, he reinforces that Saint John the Baptist is pointing to Christ and not to something else, and he takes the opportunity to ask the entities and those responsible for the celebration of profane activities that “are good and must exist” to program them in a way that the good common sense prevails and that the profane does not disturb people who participate in religious activities.

As for the program, he highlighted that São João Baptista, patron saint of the municipality, is not limited to the 24th, even if the highlight of the celebration is on that day.

On the 23rd, Vespers will be held, which “have the objective of transmitting and bearing witness to Jesus Christ, making us live what Saint John the Baptist always pointed his finger at, that is, helping Christians to walk towards Christ”.

For the 24th, the Eucharistic celebration in honor of São João Baptista will be presided over by Father José Maria Martins, scheduled for 10:30 am, and the procession in which “everyone participates and lives with a certain enthusiasm”.