Brazil

National Assembly President: Rev. Helena Gastal Country Liaison: Maria Helena Gastal International Committee Contact: Grace Sears

The 2019-2022 National Board. Rev. Helena Gastal, President,
is seated at the head of the table. Liaison Maria Helena Gastal
is standing next to her

History

The Order had supported two missionaries in Brazil (Carmen Wolff, Elizabeth Daniel) before Rev. Pat Powers began her ministry and introduced Brazilian women to the order. The first chapter was instituted in August of 1981, and more were flourishing when Ethel Ripley visited them. In 1998 they formed a national assembly. Their officers attended our 2000 Triennial, and in 2006 their president and another charter member represented them. Dr. Deborah Ajakaiye attended one of the DOK Brazil triennials.

Eighth National Triennial of the Daughters of the King in Brazil

The Eighth Triennial meeting of Daughters of the King in Brazil was held November 8-10, 2019 at the House of the Franciscan Sisters in the city of Pelotas, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS).  The theme for the Triennial was: “Spirituality and Peace”, with the Biblical inspiration: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid”. John 14:27

The Triennial closing Eucharist was celebrated at the Cathedral in Pelotas, with renewal of vows and the institution of the newly elected National  Officers :

 Attendees of the 8th National Triennial meeting - Pelotas, Nov. 8-10, 2019

Installation of the new officers

U.S. Triennial 2018

Elisabeth Sherrill, Liaison to Brazil, attended the U.S. Triennial in

Austin, Texas as the representative for Brazil's Daughters.

U.S. Triennial 2015

 The representative from Brazil, National President Helena Gastal Ramos
(standing left) and her Portuguese translator, the Rev. Pat Powers
(standing right) greet ladies at the Brazil table during the
International Dinner at the US Triennial 2015.

Triennial Torch Prayer

Daughters of the new Mary Magdalene Chapter in Brasilia,
praying for Triennial 2015

The Mary and Martha House  in Porto Alegre, Brazil

October 18, 2014 was a great day for the Daughters of the King^® Brazil as their National Headquarters, The Mary and Martha House was inaugurated with the presence of the Diocesan Bishop, The Right Rev. Humberto.  More than 70 representatives from all chapters in the diocese as well as clergy and lay members gathered together for a Eucharist of thanks.  The celebrant and preacher was the Reverend Canon Patricia Powers, assisted by Helena Castal, National President.  The service was followed by a communal lunch and social hour.

The dedication of the Mary and Martha House in Porto Alegre in the Diocese de Meridional was simple but filled with deep meaning, and all could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit blessing all participants.  A plaque was presented featuring the name of the house, date and the names of the "Godmothers", the Rev. Canon Patricia Powers and Elizabeth Daniels.

A large wall copy of the Daughters of the King® was also unveiled and blessed. The afternoon activity was a workshop on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these gifts can be used to benefit each individual Daughter, the chapter, the local church and the Diocese.

The Mary and Martha house will function as a retreat house, a meeting place for weekly Bible studies, a transient home for women coming to the city for treatment who are in need of short term housing, and a place for National Board Meetings and future Triennials.

The house consists of a chapel, meeting room, kitchen, living room, bookstore and two bedrooms.  It will also be open to other women's meetings.  The Bishop of the Diocese de Meridional gave the house to the Daughters and it is their responsibility to maintain the property.

National Assembly

This Triennial, 15 years after their first Assembly, was held July 26-28, 2013, at Igreja da Redentor (Church of the Redeemer), Porto Alegre. With hugs, kisses, and translated introductions, Susan O'Brien (National Secretary) was welcomed into and embraced by the community of Daughters in Brazil. Over the next few days, they worshiped together, explored the theme of spirituality, broke bread, checked off items on a business agenda, and enjoyed expressing their spirituality in song.
     

In one of the workshops, Bishop Humberto (Diocese of the South, Brazil) challenged them on how they were living into their vows as Daughters. After learning about and then walking the labyrinth (recently introduced in Brazil), they met in small groups to discuss their assigned questions. Paraphrased, Susan's group's question was: How are we serving our parish and the greater Church as we live out our vows?

When discussions concluded, they gathered again in the large group, heard various readings from John's Gospel, then walked the labyrinth again. Breaking into the same small groups, they reflected on how their answers changed after meditating on the Bible readings. Susan felt this is a good exercise for all of us to do - individually or in our chapters.
     

Included in the study of the spirituality of music was the singing of "Lift High the Cross." As they lifted their voices and hands singing the refrain (in Portuguese, of course),  Susan felt connected to all the Assemblies and Triennials throughout the years in the States and to the community of Daughters around the world.

The Rev. Pat Powers, retired missionary to Brazil, 
speaking at the opening service for the Triennial.

The Rev. Pat Powers and National Secretary, Susan O'Brien,
showing the new International DVD at the Assembly meeting.

Susan O'Brien and Brazil Assembly President, Helena Ramos,
exchanging gifts.

The labyrinth, new to Brazil, was a part of the workshop that
Bishop Humberto led. It was on heavy paper and set in the middle
of our meeting room. The light was in the center. The first person to
reach it picked it up and passed it the next, who passed it to the next,
and so on.  

Susan O'Brien was taken on a tour of the project at the City of God in Rio
by Rev. Nicolas, Pat+ and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Daniel, missionary to Brazil for many years, returned with
the Rev. Pat Powers for the Assembly.
Here she is standing before a mural in the City of God in Rio.  

Chapter News

International Day of the Order

On November 1, 2013, thirty-one Brazilian Daughters gathered with
the All Saints Chapter at the Parish of All Saints in Novo Hamborgo
to renew their vows. 

New Chapter in Brasilia

The Rev. Pat Powers instituted a new chapter in Brasilia, Mary
Magdalene, and admitted seven members on September 1, 2013.
Bishop Mauricio was present, as well as the dean of the Cathedral
of the Resurrection, Rev. Magda.

The new members admitted were: Rev. Lucia, Eloyeta, Sandra,
Elizabeth (front row), Gladys Marisa, and Sidrell (back row with Rev. Pat)

Workshop in Rio

In 2012, attendees at the workshop the Rev. Pat Powers gave in
Rio de Janeiro, held in Paroquia do Redentor (Church of the Redeemer.)
Bishop Filadelfo is standing in back beside Pat Powers. Some of the
Daughters from the first chapter in Brazil are in this group, including
Noreen Smith (center front), who attended the 2006 Triennial in Orlando.