“I don’t know if I’m stubborn or persistent, because I never lose hope of helping the SSVP.”

Never letting Ozanam’s and his friends’ dream die — that’s the mission of a Vincentian from Maranhão, Brazil, deeply devoted to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP). He has witnessed the weakening of the Conferences in his region, faced serious health problems, and yet never gave up! Dear reader, we introduce you to Mr. Getúlio do Espírito Santo Torres, 83 years old, who has lived in Imperatriz, Maranhão, for 52 years.

With his children Rosangela and Daniel welcoming the missionaries

A native of Floriano, in the state of Piauí, Mr. Getúlio discovered the SSVP in Maranhão 45 years ago, already as an adult — truly a work of the Holy Spirit, just like his surname. “I always went to church with my mother, but as an adult, I took a Christian life course, though I noticed it was very elitist. Then, one day, I was walking down the street and saw a group gathered in a garage; it caught my attention. I went in, and it turned out to be the SSVP. That day, I didn’t quite understand what it was about, but I was curious and kept coming back — and I never left again,” he recalls.

That “group in the garage” was the Our Lady of Fatima Conference, which welcomed him with open arms. He began as secretary, responsible for writing the minutes. “I thought I didn’t know enough. But I accepted and kept going. I stayed for several years, then became president of the Conference at St. Teresa of Ávila Parish. Later, I was appointed president of the Particular Council of St. Teresa of Ávila to get the work started there,” he remembers.

Mr. Getúlio speaks sadly of how, over the years, he has watched the SSVP in Imperatriz grow weaker, as Vincentians aged and young people did not join the Conferences. “People kept getting older, and today we’re in a somewhat delicate situation. But even so, I am still here helping however I can. I still have a little energy left, and we must work and give ourselves to God and the SSVP. Thank God my mind is still sharp, and I want to keep dedicating myself a bit more. I just don’t want to get in the way. As long as I can help, I’ll do my part,” he explains.

And what tireless work he does for his beloved SSVP! In his home, together with his family … he has often hosted missionaries from all over Brazil during missions in Maranhão, taking care of meals, good conversation, and accompanying them on visits. All quite natural for a Vincentian — if not for one small detail: in 2015, Mr. Getúlio suffered a circulation problem that, combined with diabetes, forced him to have the toes of one foot amputated. The condition left him in a wheelchair for some time. “Thanks be to God and to St. Vincent de Paul, who gave me a helping hand, I was able to walk again — limping, but happy,” he says jokingly about his situation.

Limping or not, he made it a point of honor to accompany the missionaries of the Maranhão Mission on their journeys, often joined by his daughter Teresa, or welcoming them for coffee, lunch, or moments of preparation. For that, he gathered his children together. “For those who didn’t have a place to stay, we made arrangements and found lodging in neighbors’ homes, even in the homes of Evangelical church members,” he recalls.

Mr. Getúlio during the Missions in Maranhão

And what a warm welcome the missionaries received in Mr. Getúlio’s home! “For breakfast, there was couscous, boiled eggs, bread, cake, fruit, and coffee. We were well organized. And for lunch, the usual: free-range chicken. Those were happy times,” he recounts, remembering how his daughter Rosângela cooked for the missionaries.

And Mr. Getúlio remains happy in his Vincentian activities. In November of last year, he took part in the 117th Vincentian Pilgrimage in São Luís, Maranhão; he still attends meetings of the Christ the Savior Conference, makes visits, distributes food baskets with his son Daniel, and participates in Holy Mass every day. “Today my Conference has many young people, thank God, after the work of the Missions, and the president of the Particular Council is also young. That brings me great joy,” he celebrates.

In his Christ the Savior Conference, now revitalized with young members

Mr. Getúlio is living proof that dedication, faith, purpose, and perseverance — joined to concrete actions — lead to real and positive change. He sadly watched as the SSVP in his city and region “withered,” and today, with joy, he celebrates the return of young people to the Society in Maranhão. “It was very sad to see the SSVP go through that situation; some days I cry inside, wishing I could help. Little by little, we accepted it and took action. I don’t know if I’m stubborn or persistent, because I never lose hope of helping the SSVP. I know I can’t take on responsibilities anymore, but for everything else, here I am — for a chat, a word, advice, or a helping hand. I’ll only stop being a Vincentian the day Our Lord takes me. Then I’ll be at home, with my friends. My dream is to see the Society grow,” he concludes, in tears — tears of joy, he’s quick to add.

Source: https://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/