The Holy Father sent a message of condolences on the passing of Mrs. Olinda Bolsonaro, mother of the President of Brazil.

Newsroom (30/01/2022 2:00 PM, Gaudium Press) On the occasion of a seventh day Mass, celebrated in memory of the deceased mother of the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, Pope Francis sent a telegram expressing his condolences and solidarity with the head of the State:

“Your Excellency Jair Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil: With sorrow, I have just received the news of the death of your venerable mother, who left a beautiful Christian witness both in the performance of her family mission and in the solicitous collaboration given to ecclesial life. I present to Your Excellency and the entire bereaved family my heartfelt condolences. I place upon all the comfort of the Most High, while I implore for the soul of his servant Olinda the peace and happiness promised to his faithful disciples.”

The celebration took place in the Rainha da Paz Military Cathedral, located in the federal capital Brasilia, last Thursday, January 27th. The Mass was presided by Bishop Fernando José Monteiro Guimarães, C.SS.R., head of Brazil’s Military Ordinariate and concelebrated by Most Rev. Marcony Vinícius Ferreira, Auxiliary Bishop of Brasilia, and by the representative of the Apostolic Nuncio, Msgr. Joseph Antony Puthenpurayil.

In his homily, Bishop Guimaraes congratulated the Head of State for his “attitude as a believer, as a man of faith. In the face of this human suffering and mourning, you immediately opened your heart and expressed your trust in God, who is the source of life. And on more than one occasion, you gave public testimony of your Christian faith.”

President Jair Bolsonaro offered one of the readings at Mass, but did not give a speech. Several civilian and military personalities were present at the ceremony. At the request of the Military Ordinariate, the choir of the Heralds of the Gospel animated the liturgy.

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj