Canonical Visitation of the Superior General to Dehonian Communities in the Amazon Region: A new effort with missionary boldness

From August 5 to 30, 2026, the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, accompanied by Fr. Willyans Prado Rapozo, general councillor, visited the Dehonian communities within the territory known as the Brazilian “Legal Amazon.” Of the nine states that comprise this region, we are present in five: Maranhão, Pará, Amapá, Mato Grosso, and Rondônia. These are missionary communities under the responsibility of the Brazil-São Paulo and Brazil Meridional Provinces, as well as the Brazil-São Luís and Brazil-Mato Grosso Districts.

The Dehonian presence in the Amazon

The idea of ​​jointly visiting this vast territory arose from listening to the Church, which—through the Amazon Synod and Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia (2020)—invites us to seek a “new” evangelizing effort characterized by true “missionary boldness” in the face of the social, cultural, pastoral, economic, and ecological challenges present in the rich Amazonia (cf. QA, 95). We had the opportunity to recall the memory of the first missionaries who, at the request of the then-Apostolic Nuncio to Brazil, set out from the south of the country toward Maranhão. It has been nearly 60 years since the mission began with limited resources; yet, through great generosity, it has grown and spread to other areas. We arrived in Mato Grosso nearly 45 years ago; in Rondônia, over 15 years ago; and more than 10 years ago, we reached the banks of the Amazon River in the dioceses of Óbidos and Macapá.

A complex pastoral reality

We were able to visit the more than 70 SCJs who work in this region, primarily in several parishes, three houses of formation, and two centers for the rehabilitation for those struggling with drug addiction. We encountered joyful religious communities eager to serve the people of God—a people facing challenges driven by the rapid growth of cities where mining and powerful agricultural business are the economic activities with the greatest ecological and social impact. There are also many families wounded by various forms of violence and abuse, alongside a lack of educational and employment opportunities for young people. All of this stirs in the hearts of the Dehonians a desire to seek paths of reparation so that the Kingdom of God may be realized in the Amazonia region with social justice and care for our common home.

“The Amazonian Assembly” of August 20 and 21

As part of the canonical visit, on August 20 and 21, Fr. Carlos Luis and Fr. Willyans met with provincial and district superiors, as well as representatives from our Amazonian missions, in the city of Lucas do Rio Verde (MT) for an Assembly convened by the Superior General. In preparation for this event, Fr. Carlos Luis sent a letter to the Dehonians in the Amazon proposing greater coordination among our various missionary fronts. In the spirit of Sint Unum and synodal listening, we were invited to reflect together on new ways to serve the Church in this rich territory. Inspired by the Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia, we asked ourselves: Is it possible to envision a “Dehonian dream” for the Amazon region? What does this dream entail? How might it be concretely realized in the places where we are present? Where is the Spirit of God leading us to? How can we respond even more effectively to the calls arising from the Church, the people, and the land?

As a result of this Assembly, a joint commitment emerged to continue reflecting and working in communion, ensuring that our mission in Amazonian region may reveal even more clearly our charismatic identity of love and reparation. We approved a document outlining 10 concrete steps to help us carry forward the reflection we have begun.

“We wish to continue this journey together”

We covered many kilometers—across roads and rivers, through cities and farms—but, above all, we encountered many hearts and faces marked by faith and hope. We conclude this canonical visit aware that the work is just beginning. We wish to continue this journey together, united with the lay members of the Dehonian Family who share our charism, as well as with the many other partners who desire to collaborate actively in this mission.

We thank our confreres for their hospitality in every community we visited and for generously embracing the proposal presented. We entrust all the missionaries in the Amazon region to the care of the Heart of Jesus. May Fr. Dehon intercede for this mission—so beautiful and challenging—and may the Virgin Mary help us respond to the call her Son extends to us. And may we recognize the face of Christ in all people: indigenous, refugees, those living on river shores, rural areas, and urban populations. It’s time to go into deep waters without fear!