The Pauline apostolate among Brazilians in the Boston area is approaching its twentieth year. It began in 2007 through the missionary intuition of Sr. M. Emmanuel Alves. What started almost by chance—with an encounter with several parishioners at a local parish—soon revealed an urgent need for pastoral accompaniment in the Portuguese language.
Since then, the presence has steadily grown and expanded: from the first Portuguese-language Masses, accompanied by the distribution of books and Bibles, to the establishment of the Aparecida Center, which today serves as a point of reference for the community, offering spiritual, formative, and cultural activities.
The contribution of other sisters has also been significant, including Sr. Majorina Zanata and Sr. Líria Grade, who supported the expansion of the apostolate across several dioceses in Massachusetts, responding to the growth of the Brazilian community.
Today, the Center collaborates with Brazilian ecclesial organizations to provide pastoral content in Portuguese throughout North America and continues to promote formation and accompaniment.
As it approaches its twentieth anniversary, the USA-ESC Pauline Province renews its commitment to supporting Portuguese-speaking communities. What began through attentive listening has now become a well-established presence, growing steadily in the spirit of the mission.
