On October 19, 2019, TV Globo went to casa Mãe dos Heralds do Evangelho in São Paulo (SP), to interview representatives of three institutions that are being the subject of defamation by some disaffections. There, reporter Walace Lara met revmo. Pe. Alex Barbosa de Brito, representing the Clerical Society of Apostolic Life Virgo Flos Carmeli; Mother Mariana Morazzani Arráiz, EP, Superior of the Regina Virginum Female Apostolic Life Society; and Dr. Humberto Luiz Goedert, lawyer, press spokesman for the Private Association of Heralds of the Gospel. Before asking his questions, the reporter from TV Globo began by requesting a brief historical explanation of the Heralds.
The Ep. Alex explained that the three institutions form a "spiritual family", being Heralds of the Gospel the first to emerge in 1999 in Campo Limpo, when Mons. João Clá Dias, EP, received from Don Emílio Pignoli, then Bishop of Campo Limpo, diocesan approval for the work that was born. On February 22, 2001, the Heralds of the Gospel were recognized and approved by Pope St John Paul II.
Watch the full response of the Heralds.
Summary
The accelerated development of evangelization activities marked the need for religious assistance according to the institution's spirituality. And an important step was needed in 2005: the presbytery ordination of fifteen Heralds of the Gospel.
After the necessary consultations, it was concluded that the foundation of a Society of Apostolic Life would be the most appropriate. So that from the first Heralds of the Gospel" institution, two new movements emerged – in 2006– the Clerical Society of Apostolic Life Virgo Flos Carmeli and the Regina Virginum Women's Apostolic Life Society, both approved by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009" .
The Ep. Alex Brito pointed out:
"In the church the developments are very organic: diocesan association, then erected as a private association of faithful of Pontifical Law[presentemente] and, as society of Apostolic Life."
From a religious life option since the 1970s, Mons. John regularly participated in training courses on philosophical, theological topics, as well as spirituality and general culture. But the longing to deepen his knowledge of Catholic doctrine and acquire a more solid formation led him to seek the collaboration of recognized exponents of Theology, especially the cathedrals of Salamanca, such as: Fr. Arturo Alonso Lobo, OP, Pe. Marcellin Cabreros de Anta, CMF, Fr. Victorino Rodríguez y Rodríguez, OP, Fr. Antonio Royo Marín, OP, among others. When the possibility of the first priests arose, and having the Holy See analyzed the curriculum of those candidates, the studies were validated.
Having the reporter asked about the buildings that the Heralds promote, Fr. Alex listed the training house (whose construction began in 2006), next to which is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, located in Caieiras (SP), and to which Pope Benedict XVI conferred the title of Basilica Minor. He also mentioned the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, in the Diocese of Campo Limpo, located in the city of Cotia (SP). For this, the title of Basilica was granted under the pontificate of Pope Francis.