Fr. Geraldo Mayela Peron
Carangola (Minas Gerais-Brasile), 24 aprile 1961
S. Paolo (Brasile), 1 giugno 1991
Visse trent'anni. È sepolto a Roncador (Paranà, Brasile)
Geraldo nacque a Carangola il 24 aprile 1961 in una famiglia profondamente cristiana e impegnata nel lavoro per il pane quotidiano.
Nel 1973 a Moreira Salles (Paranà) conobbe i saveriani. Allegro, sensibile, formato alla vita dura, a vent'anni decise di dedicare la propria vita ai poveri, vittime dei disordini sociali. Per questo entrò, nel 1981, nella nostra casa per vocazioni adulte a Piracicaba (S. Paolo).
Completati gli studi, entrò in noviziato a Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais) nel 1985 e l'anno seguente fece la professione religiosa.
"Sono convinto - scriveva - che in questa Congregazione e nello stile di vita consacrata posso realizzare il mio progetto di vita e rispondere alla vocazione che credo una chiamata da parte di Gesù Cristo".
Geraldo, per l'esperienza di vita povera avuta in famiglia, comprendeva con facilità le sofferenze dei senza-terra, dei senza-casa, dei giovani in cerca di orientamento. Si sentiva uno di loro. Sapeva accogliere e incoraggiare.
"Un nuovo volto di vita religiosa sta sorgendo nell'America Latina - scriveva ancora nel 1985 -. Questo esige dai religiosi maggiore inserimento, maggiore impegno per i poveri".
Questo pensiero lo portò, terminati gli studi teologici, a chiedere di passare tra i fratelli coadiutori. Sentiva di realizzare meglio, così, la sua vocazione religiosa e la sua dedizione ai più abbandonati.
Il 16 marzo 1991 fece la professione perpetua; ora poteva passare ai fatti, attuare le sue aspirazioni.
Purtroppo la morte lo colse d'improvviso appena un paio di mesi dopo.
Il primo giugno, mentre in motocicletta andava a distribuire inviti per una Riunione Pastorale per giovani, finì sotto un camion che lo precedeva e che si fermò d'improvviso. Morì quasi subito all'ospedale.
La vita di fr. Geraldo passò in fretta, protesa tra realtà e speranza nel sogno d'aiutare i più abbandonati. Il Signore premia anche i sogni, quando sono ispirati da Lui.
La salma di fr. Geraldo riposa a Roncador (Paranà) dove la sua famiglia si è stabilita.
Br. Geraldo Mayela Peron
Carangola (Minas Gerais-Brasile), 24 aprile 1961
S. Paolo (Brasile), 1 giugno 1991
Brother Geraldo Mayela Peron died of a motorcycle accident at Guaianazes (SP – Brazil) on June 1 1991. He was 30 years old, born on April 24 1961 at Carangola (Minas Gerais – Brazil).
He came from a deeply committed Christian family. He met the Xaverians at Moreira Salles (Paranŕ) in 1973, but continued his own studies, when he decided to enter our congregation at Piracicaba (S. Paolo) in 1981, when he was 20 years old. He made his religious profession at Belo Horizonte, at the end of his Novitiate, in 1986.
He wrote: “I am convinced that in this Congregation and in the consecrated life I can accomplish my life project and answer to the vocation call, which I believe is a call from Jesus Christ.” Coming from a poor family background, he easily understood the sufferings of the landless, of the homeless, of the disoriented youth. He was one of them, and because of his sensitive character, he welcomed and encouraged them.
At the end of his theology studies, Br. Geraldo asked to be a Religious Missionary Brother, for in this way, he could better realize his vocation to the most abandoned. He professed Perpetual Vows on March 16 1991, with the hope to start working for the Reign of God.
"Our confrere Peron, even though young for his age, was able to harmonize solidarity and struggle-sharing with his religious life, with his community life and the Xaverian project that ever enthused him. Till his final day… As he was getting ready to land on different seashores, he continued to dedicate himself with renewed enthusiasm to local activities. Both as a young boy and as a student, he showed solidarity with the land-less and the homeless. During vacation time he would spent time at Roncador, often called ‘the triangle of death.’ Beside his family, there was a huge encampment of farmers waiting for a piece of land. Among them, Perňn would spend his days encouraging the farmers, providing livelihood and medicines collected with many youths of the town. And there were many other encampments of this sort that he would visit in the state of Sao Paolo.” (Fr. Vincenzo Mitidieri)
Unfortunately, as he was going in motorcycle to distribute flyers for a Youth Gathering in Guaianazes, he lost control of his bike, and went under a truck. When Brother Geraldo arrived at the Hospital, he was dead.
His own brother, Jůlio, reflecting on his death, said at the cemetery: “Rest in Peace, Geraldo. But I know that you will not rest, as long as there is a family without a house, a peasant without a piece of land, a laborer without justice. Now, however, rest; for a thousand years for God are just as one day. Justice will come. For the time being, rest in peace, go in peace!”
“I believe that these words well summarize his mission in life and his religious consecration: a thirst for justice, a passion for love, and a willingness to change history for the Reign of God. He lived poor among the poor. Knowing his own limits, he ever trusted in God, accepting the challenges of this life, and persevering till the end.” (Fr. Leone Occhio)
May the Good Lord welcome our brother into Heaven.
