THE INDIAN CARAVAN IN BRAZIL! Part Uno

Another two days and I will be flying away from the Paradise on Earth which is Tabor.

I arrived reluctantly and am going back reluctantly.

Where on earth will I find the solitude, the simplicity of the liturgy, the great silence, the awesome ambience of the Mass as I have experienced here at Tabor?

Dona Lucilia has been behind all this planning and execution, with Msgr Joao and his grandiose vision of an Indian infusion into Brazil's mother house. I learnt the Secret of Mary - it is the prophet for our times, Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.

Let me go back in history to 19 March when I first took that bold step to join the Pilgrimage group coming to Brazil from India. Our numbers grew from 15 to 30 but only 26 chosen ones got to actually reach here.

The first miracle Dona Lucilia performed for me was to grant me my visa appointment date as 21 April, her death anniversary. And the supreme joy of getting it approved within a day! Later, this benevolence was extended to all those who she had predestined to come to visit her sons and daughters.

The lady who issued me the invitation letter. As a token of appreciation, I gifted her littlest one a rosary with the pouch.

And so, on the appointed day, I boarded my flight for Brazil, accompanied by a friend's son. We landed at GRU on time, and made our way to our respective homes.

I was hosted by Mr Huan Vu for five days before I joined the pilgrimage group that started arriving by 20 May.

My first day at Tabor and I soon realized - no one wears a veil here! I think I never wore my dupatta again for the entire trip.

The following day, we went for a programme at Contemplacao Marial. I met Louie and Zenita and we toured the school area with their son who had been there for an 'experience'.

I met my son and daughter in those days before the Pilgrimage and spent some time with LZ n their family at their house and at Lumen Coeli where their elder daughter Maria serves.

I also went to Mater Castisimma for lunch and met one of our Indian sisters, Sr Kristen.

THE PILGRIMAGE

(21 May - 11 June)

AND THEN THE INDIAN CARAVAN ARRIVED!

The Pilgrimage group from Day one was in party mood. Imagine 26 Indians in one house! Unfortunately our schedule was so tightly packed that we didn't get enough opportunity or ingredients to cook sorpotel, cafrael, dosas, etc., etc., etc.

I wish I had penned this as we were visiting the various Seats but alas! I was so enraptured by the sights unfolding at each place that it completely slipped my mind. I'll try as best as I can to recapture the sights and memories.

23 May

The first Seat we visited (after everyone settled down and became friends) was Sedes Sapientae - Seat of Wisdom. There we saw the vestments made by the sisters.

And that day we also discovered another treasure! A restaurant that sells food by weight.

After a delightful repast, we headed to see the mother house TABOR. Br René was our tour guide for the Basilica and Triunfo Marial.

24 May

We visited two smaller Seats - Santa Marta and Santa Hildegard. These are the homes presently for Sr Valerie and Sr Regina respectively.

In the afternoon, after a good repast at one of the above-mentioned Seats, we headed for Monte Carmelo chapel. There, we met the superior general for India, Sr Terezita, who was delighted with our gifts of Indian sarees to be used for decorating the house and making dresses for Our Lady and Baby Jesus.

25 May

In the morning, we visited a Third Order Seat called Nossa Procura. We met Fr Mario Beccar, who has regular programmes for families of the Heralds cooperators, including meetings for the parents and catechetical activities for the children.

In the evening, we went into the city area to Cenaculo, the elementary school for the Second Order. We watched a 'TEATRO' and helped ourselves to the delicious snacks sold at the stalls by members of the Third Order.

26 May

I woke up feeling very very sick, my usual bilious attack so I decided to rest. The pilgrims went to Convento de Luz and to the Stone shop. I can only share here what I got from the pictures shared on the group.

In the evening, we went to Tabor for Mass and I received a special blessing from Fr Santiago! And a surprise gift from my children. Later, at the Sausalito house, we celebrated two birthdays - Catherine's (Xavier and Diana's youngest daughter) and mine. We also wished Luiso and Pamela's daughter Angelica who would be celebrating her birthday on 28 May.

For the first time, the Indian caravan put their culinary skills to the test. Here's a glimpse of what happened behind the scenes.

27 May

In the morning, we visited Monte Carmelo to see the middle school of the Second Order.

I got to see where my daughter studies and meet some of her teachers and classmates.

In the evening, we began packing for our six day tour out of Sao Paulo. We were to visit the national shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida on our way to Novo Friburgo where we were going to stay for the night before going to visit a Seat of the Second Order - Novo Succeso.

28 May

When we reached Novo Friburgo, we booked into the hotel and rested for the night. Before going to the hotel, we had dinner Churrascaria style.

29 May

Fr Joshua's parents, being adventurous, wandered off to explore the neighborhood. I joined them as unofficial photographer.

After a sumptuous breakfast, we visit Novo Sucesso, a beautiful Seat established by Msgr Joao.

And we had lunch after a tour of the Seat. We sang a Konkani hymn here after the meal.

In the afternoon, we travelled to our next destination - Rio! But, before we left, we visited the Heralds church in Novo Friburgo called Nossa Senhora de Fatima.

CUTE CAT CALLED BONDADE.

30 May

Rio and Redeemer go hand in hand! We arrived at night and had our dinner at the restaurant in the hotel we were booked into.

The next morning, we drove to see the Cristo Redentor - Christ the Redeemer statue.

After Mass in the little chapel below the statue, Fr Casale, from a Seat in Rio, brought the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida in a procession as we sang the hymn We Stand For Christ. It was an epic moment! 26 Indians, a priests and a handful of members of the First and Second Orders.

After a unique lunch at the local patisserie (I ate a cabresa), we were invited to the First Order Seat in Rio. There we were served and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious icecream made by

the brothers.

We then travelled to our next destination which was UBATUBA. Reaching late at night, we were a bit disappointed with the place at first but soon settled in and slipped quickly

into Slumberland.

Appendix

Jewellery boxes from Srinagar, Kashmir, India. They were gifted as rosary/relic boxes to various people in the Heralds in Brazil especially to our Indian priests and the priests and sisters associated with my children.