Meeting with the Meruri community
On 28 October, after a stop in Rondonópolis, the Regional Councillor for America South Cone reached the community of Meruri. The visit began with a meeting with the Salesians of the community and a meeting at the indigenous Sagrado Coração de Jesus school. Fr Romero shared various moments with children and teachers, discussing education and cultural values, and concluded the day with a welcoming Mass in which the Boe-Bororo people honoured him with the traditional song "Ararigue" and a community dinner.
The next day, 29 October, the Visitor went to the cemetery that houses the remains of the Salesian missionaries, including the Servant of God, Fr Rodolfo Lunkenbein, and tried to reach another important historical site, unfortunately inaccessible due to the weather conditions. The visit to Meruri ended with a meeting with students and community leaders, a moment of reflection and prayer through the Missionary Rosary, and a Mass that underlined the strong bond between the Salesians and the Boe-Bororo people.
The stage in Primavera do Leste
On 30 October, the Regional Councillor continued with Primavera do Leste. Welcomed by the Rector of the community, Fr Osmar Rezende, and other Salesians, he deepened his knowledge of the community and visited the Dom Bosco youth centre, where he spoke with educators, children and adolescents who benefit from the educational and social support of the centre. In this case too, in the evening he presided over a Eucharist, in the parish dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette, and a meeting with the Pastoral Council, in which Fr Romero expressed his support for parish projects for the social promotion and spiritual growth of the community.
Visit to the community in Poxoréu
On 1 November, the itinerary of the Extraordinary Visitation reached Poxoréu, where Fr Romero arrived accompanied by Fr Rezende. There he visited the Salesian São João Batista youth centre. Then, together with the local coordinator, Lucia Voltan, and the Orione parish priest, Fr Joaquim, he attended a meeting with the educators and visited the mother church dedicated to St John the Baptist, which houses the relic of the heart of the Venerable Salesian Cooperator Attilio Giordani. In the evening, the Visitor met the young people of the "Um Sonho, Uma Vida" project, strengthening the relationship of support and Salesian solidarity with the community in Poxoréu.
Closure at Sangradouro
On Friday 1 November, the Solemnity of All Saints, Fr Romero finally arrived at the missionary presence in Sangradouro, where the Salesians work with the original Xavante populations. After dinner with the community, he held an official opening ceremony of the visit to the work, with an address. On 2 November, he celebrated the Mass of Commemoration of the Dead in the Sangradouro cemetery together with the Salesians and began a series of meaningful meetings with members of the Salesian and Xavante community. In the afternoon, he met with the Xavante elders, discussing their needs with them and cultivating a respectful and constructive dialogue.
On Sunday 3 November, the Regional Councillor celebrated Mass in the community and met with the faithful and young people. He visited the community's social projects, including a computer room supported by the Rector Major's solidarity, and concluded this stage with a special meeting with the Xavante youth, who prepared a tribute in his honour.
