By Sr. Maria Jose da Silva, MMM

Sr. Maria Jose da Silva, MMM who comes from the south of Brazil in Parana State shares her personal experience of a visit home…
“I was in Parana in September this year and the smell of the smoke from the fires around the country was very strong and it affected many people who had their lungs affected. I visited one of the neighbours in my hometown. They shared with me how the fire came very close to their farm. This family used to have some cows to milk and depended on them for their survival. When they heard and noticed that one side of their farm was on fire, they got desperate.

The whole family is very active in the church and used to sell milk to many other families in the town. I heard from Vilma, that one day the farm was surrounded by the fire, and many other small farms got burned. Her own farm was prevented from being burnt; they believe by prayer. They started to pray and to entrust their property to God’s protection and our Mother Mary to care for their only means of living.
By the end of that day their farm didn’t get burnt and she attributed that to a miracle. She said to me. “It was God’s hands that protected us from fire.” It is amazing the faith of the people and how much their trust is placed in God’s hand and Our Lady, Mother Mary, for their protection.

I believe that our planet needs people with that faith and commitment to life to protect our planet from dying and being destroyed from all kinds of damage. Our planet is crying loud for help and many creatures and nature are dying from lack of care. I am deeply convinced that if each one keeps trying to make a difference in caring for nature, life will last longer. Let’s join hands and start with small actions and care for the earth.”