(ANS – Meruri) – The sound of the bell, according to tradition, continues to call the entire community to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the indigenous mission of Meruri, located in the territory of the Boe-Bororo people. The village belongs to the municipality of General Carneiro, in the diocese of Barra do Garças. For almost a century, the Salesians have led the pastoral life of the community. Here, a celebration full of meaning took place in recent days: a day of celebration, but also of painful remembrance. In the very courtyard where a cross stands today, the mission director, Fr. Rodolfo Lunkenbein, and the indigenous Simão Bororo were killed on July 15, 1976.

The Catholic Church is analyzing the story of their violent deaths. Both are already recognized as Servants of God, and their sacrifice, offered for the good of the indigenous people, is being recognized as an authentic martyrdom.

To commemorate the date, the Boe-Bororo community, together with the Salesians, organized a large celebration. The young people carefully took care of the decorations and paintings. The Bishop of Barra do Garças, Bishop Paulo Renato Fernandes Gonçalves de Campos, took part in the event, but entrusted the Superior of the Campo Grande province, Brazil (BCG), Fr. Ricardo Carlos, with the task of presiding over the celebration. This choice was a gesture of recognition for the missionary work carried out by the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians among the original peoples of Mato Grosso.

Over 200 people took part in the liturgy, which marked the opening of the Jubilee Year for the 50th anniversary of the death of the Servants of God, Fr. Rodolfo Lunkenbein and Simão Bororo.

The moment of faith, remembrance, and intercultural dialogue began at the local cemetery, with a procession that accompanied the faithful to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The celebration opened with a traditional funeral rite of the Bororo people, performed by the indigenous Emília de Abreu, who performed the mourning song (wagé). This is a practice deeply rooted in the Bororo culture, which serves to honour the dead, particularly those who have died tragically.

The celebration continued with a penitential act in the form of a procession, which passed through the streets of the community starting from the cemetery. Participants recited the litany of All Saints, alternating with the reading of historical accounts of July 15, 1976. The reflections were led by Fr. Tiago Eliomar Gonçalves de Morais, Delegate of Missions of the Province of Brazil-São Paulo. The texts read came mainly from the writings of the late Fr. Virgílio Leite Ochoa, a Salesian who was a direct witness to the events.

During the homily, Fr. Ricardo Carlos emphasized the value of the sacrifice of the Servants of God: “These brothers who gave their lives in this land are a true witness for us. Jesus said that the greatest proof of love is to give one’s life, and they are an example for us. It is precisely the martyrdom of these two Servants of God that represents this covenant, this communion, of the missionary who comes to this land. To bring, yes, the seed of the Gospel, but an inculturated Gospel. These Servants of God are a gift for us Salesians, for the Province, for the Congregation, and also for the Church. The Diocese of Barra do Garças is blessed by the cause of martyrdom of these two Servants of God, who for us are brothers who shed their blood for love of the people of Boe-Bororo and for love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”