Arrival at the São Marcos Indigenous Territory
On Wednesday 25 June, Fr Bejarano travelled to the São Marcos Indigenous Territory, where the delegation was welcomed by the local community. Immediately upon arrival, the group visited the village of Hu’uhi, where he celebrated Mass. The programme continued with a time of fellowship accompanied by refreshments, whilst the day concluded with an evening of sharing within the Salesian community.
Towards Barra do Garças
On Thursday 26 June, the group celebrated Holy Mass in the community, had breakfast and then set off for Barra do Garças. The delegation was welcomed at St Anthony’s Parish, where Fr Slawomir (Waldomiro) Bronakowski and Fr Euller da Silva gave a presentation on the history of the Salesian presence in the region. The group also visited the parish premises and the catechetical centre.
Stop-off in Araguaiana
The delegation then travelled to Araguaiana, where they visited the old parish and the school that had welcomed the region’s first Salesians. On this occasion, they paid their respects at the graves of four Salesian Brothers: José Pellegrino, Acurcio Schinell, and the priests João Fuchs and Pedro Sacilotti, who were killed in 1934 whilst carrying out their evangelisation work amongst the indigenous peoples of the region.
The group then returned to Barra do Garças, where they had lunch with the Salesian community and visited the site where the social work and school run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians first began.
Arrival in Meruri
The delegation then continued its journey to Meruri. Upon arrival, they went straight to the cemetery to visit the graves of the Salesians, including those of the Servants of God Fr Rodolfo Lunkenbein and Simão Bororo. The group then returned to the community, where Fr Rafael had the opportunity to pray at the monument marking the spot where the two Servants of God were killed.
The delegation was welcomed by the rector of the community, Fr Ângelo César Cenerino, who showed them round the chapel and the local cultural centre.
Afterwards, Mass was celebrated with the whole community and the Bororo people. The evening concluded with a time of fellowship with the Salesian community. The following morning, after breakfast, the Councillor visited schools in the region and filmed some footage before setting off for Cuiabá.
Participation in Aviva Jovem
In the evening, in the Coxipó da Ponte neighbourhood, the group took part in Aviva Jovem, held at the Santa Rita de Cássia Chapel of the Nossa Senhora da Guia parish. Fr Rafael Bejarano and Fr Aldir da Silva led some moments of reflection on Salesian spirituality and charism together with the parish priest, Fr Wellinton Francisco.
Conclusion of the visit
The following day, 27 June, Fr Rafael attended a fraternal lunch in the community of São Gonçalo, in the presence of the Provincial of BCG, Fr Adalberto Alves de Jesus. In the afternoon, there was a farewell to the pastoral team who had accompanied him since the start of the visit. At the end of the visit, Fr Rafael Bejarano set off for Brasília.
{gallery}BCG – Don Rafael 2026{/gallery}
