Brazil – The Xavante Indigenous People Receive Ashes at the Start of Lent
Sangradouro, Brazil – March 2025 – In the indigenous territory of Sangradouro (MT), Lent began with deep devotion from the Xavante people. On Wednesday, March 5, Fr. Amércio Rezende de Oliveira, Rector of the local Salesian missionary community, presided over the Ash Wednesday Mass, during which Xavante Catholic faithful received blessed ashes on their heads as a sign of penance and devotion. Around 100 people, including adults and children, participated in the liturgy. The local Xavante commu-nity is actively engaged in liturgical celebrations and spiritual preparations for Easter, both in the San-gradouro village and other communities served by the Salesian missionaries.