(ANS – Sangradouro) – Fr. Joseph Tran Van Lich, a Salesian missionary originally from Vietnam, has begun a new phase of his pastoral work among the Xavante Indigenous people in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Present in the region since 2021, the priest now uses digital tools to offer prayers and biblical teachings in the villages, adapting to the growing spread of technology among Indigenous populations. As the missionary himself explained, the idea came from a direct observation of everyday reality: “It is my initiative, because I realized the situation: children, young people, teenagers… have great difficulty reading and praying in the Xavante language.”
Vocation and Inculturation in Brazil
Fr. Tran Van Lich’s journey in the Church began early in his country of origin, where he would often go to the Tabernacle with other young people. “Over time, I developed a love for going to church to attend Mass… I would return home happy, even if my lunch had already gone cold,” he says with a touch of humor.
After arriving in Brazil, he dedicated himself to learning Portuguese and the Xavante language, and was recently appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Sangradouro.
The Internet as a Tool for Catechesis
The choice of social media platforms—Facebook, Instagramy TikTok—reflects the modernization taking place in Indigenous communities. The Salesian explains that the current reality is marked by strong connectivity: “Today, they access social media a lot… people here already use mobile phones very frequently.”
Through these platforms, Fr. Tran Van Lich shares simple prayers, such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary, in the two languages used in the mission, with the aim of promoting dialogue between generations. “I hope that adults can pass on these prayers to younger people. This also strengthens the Christian community and the transmission of the faith,” he explains.
Addressing the Lack of Printed Materials
In addition to prayers, the missionary uses digital tools to compensate for the scarcity of printed materials in the villages. He began publishing the texts of the Gospel online to ensure that the Word reaches everyone who seeks it.
“Sometimes many people do not have access to books. So we publish them on Instagram y Facebook, and those who want to read them can find them there,” the missionary explains. This strategy has also allowed Indigenous people from other territories to follow the posts and connect with the Salesian parish.
Formation of Local Leaders and Future Plans
The digital evangelization project is part of a structured plan for the coming years that includes adult catechesis and the study of religious songs. Fr. Tran Van Lich hopes to revive prayer life and liturgical celebrations in the native language.
“I am seriously considering the possibility of training catechists and pastoral workers, but it is all part of a plan I am developing for the next three or four years,” he says when speaking about his goals as pastor.
For the immediate future, during Lent 2026, the focus will be on deepening biblical study, along with visits to local communities to accompany and encourage the faithful on their journey of faith.