Archbishop Brustolin links faith in Aparecida to civic responsibility in Brazil

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Dom Leomar Antônio Brustolin, the archbishop of Santa Maria, has stated that the faith associated with the image of Aparecida teaches Brazilians to love their country. The archbishop, writing for the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, connected the religious devotion to the Virgin of Aparecida with the practical duties of citizenship and the moral obligation to care for the nation.

The archbishop described the origin of the image as emerging from the waters of a river. He noted that the statue was small, dark, and broken, having been found in two separate parts. According to Brustolin, this history serves as a sign of a maternal presence in the heart of Brazil. He argued that the message of the image is that God does not abandon what history appears to fragment, but can instead reunite, restore, and renew hope. The archbishop stated that the image, which emerged from the Paraíba river, became a parable for Brazil, representing a people who continue to seek unity, comfort, and hope despite their wounds and contradictions.

Brustolin emphasized that celebrating the Virgin of Aparecida requires a commitment to the country. He defined true love for the nation as a demanding force that is neither blind nor indifferent. The archbishop listed specific conditions for this love, including the protection of children's futures, the respect of the elderly, the provision of dignity and opportunities for the poor, and the protection of life. He further stated that justice must not choose whom to serve and that politics must recover its vocation for the common good.

The archbishop highlighted that the image was found by fishermen rather than appearing to the powerful, which prevents the devotion from becoming triumphalist. He stated that the patroness of Brazil remains close to simple people, families, and workers. Brustolin argued that the mantle of the Virgin appears to gather a vast and diverse country, reminding Brazilians that no single region, social class, or group can claim the right to represent the entire nation alone.

The archbishop used the broken image as a lesson for social reconstruction. He noted that the statue was found in pieces, with the body and head discovered separately before being reunited. Brustolin compared this to the fractures in Brazilian society, citing aggressive discourse, distrust, inequality, and intolerance. He stated that Christians have a spiritual responsibility to rebuild bonds and act as artisans of communion, restoring bridges where others raise walls.

The archbishop described Mary as a teacher of citizenship who is first a disciple. He referenced her acceptance of God's plan and her prayer, which he said directs attention to the humble and the hungry. Brustolin concluded that Brazil needs a patriotism without idolatry, a citizenship without hatred, and a faith without indifference. He stated that the country cannot be rebuilt through contempt or division, but through justice, fraternity, and care for the most fragile, guided by the hope of the Gospel.