On the evening of December 30, the first Congolese Assumptionists arrived at the São Paulo airport to begin their new mission in Brazil: Fr. Jules Mumbere Paluku, 37 years old, and Fr. Roger Wasukundi Sivakwirivutwa, 36 years old.

The next day, in the good hands of Fr. Luiz Carlos, the provincial, the new missionaries, still dragging from jetlag, headed off to Rio de Janeiro with a short stop at the national shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, where they asked the Blessed Mother for her blessings on their adventure.

With little time to rest the next day, December 31, they joined the Assumptionist community in the parish of Santíssima Trindade in Rio for the last Eucharistic celebration of 2013, followed by supper in the home of friends of the community and then on to the firework display on Flamengo beach to usher in the new year. It was a marvelous show ---- as if the skies of Rio were welcoming our Congolese brothers with open arms.

The newly arrived Fr. Jules threw up his arms and exclaimed excitedly, “How beautiful...It’s almost as if the Canticle of Zechariah is repeating itself before our very eyes!”

Over the next month or so Jules and Roger will be spending a few days in each of the communities of the province in order to get to know their new Assumptionist brothers and the work in which they are involved. Then as of February 16, they will begin a special inculturation session in Brasilia, a three-month introduction to the Portuguese language, culture, and Church, sponsored by the CCM (Centro Cultural Missionário).

Both came to Brazil after serving in their native country (the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and native diocese (Butembo-Beni). Fr. Jules had served as master of postulants and Fr. Roger as an associate pastor.

After they return from their course in Brasilia, they will be assigned to their new communities and apostolate. For now, we are happy they have arrived safely among us and are already settling into their new home.

Fr. Luis Carlos de Oliveira, A.A.
Provincial