He was supposed to stay for one year, then for nine months. But due to Covid, he ended up staying for over four years. A member of the “Queen of Peace” community, he experienced a special period in the citadel, including studies at Sophia. He will return to defend his master’s thesis in Trinitarian Ontology.
Sometimes, it happens. Usually, it’s a choice. Exceptionally, a necessity. The adventure of Father Milton Satiro de Oliveira, a 38-year-old Brazilian from São Paulo, began in the citadel on December 4, 2019. He was supposed to arrive in September, but his entry visa was delayed. Thus, his journey started only then, with the formation school for religious at Claritas. The plan was to return to Brazil on August 16, 2020. Everything was set—except for the outbreak of Covid-19 and the ensuing pandemic, which also affected his country to the point where Brazilian authorities “closed” entry to the nation.
Father Milton (pronounced Miuton) stayed in Loppiano. “For me, Covid ended up being a valuable opportunity.” Fr. Theo, a Dutch Franciscan and then head of Claritas, suggested he take advantage of the proximity to the Sophia Institute and enroll in its courses. “The studies gave me the chance to start a journey of reflection on myself, my vocation, and my identity as a man.”
“During Covid, at Claritas, there were four of us religious, and we lived a profound and simple life,” he said. He added, “In community life, there was the opportunity to live deeply with God, in the light of my offering, and with those who shared the same spirituality of unity.” Through this, “the Holy Spirit helped me see the beauty within me, but also the flaws, and granted me the serenity to see myself as God saw—and still sees—me.” He shared a particular detail: “In Brazil, they call me Father, but here in Loppiano, they call me by my name. This, too, helped me reflect on myself.”
Milton then returned to Brazil on July 24. Thus, the initially planned nine months turned into over four and a half years. “What experiences I’ve lived! Even in terms of God’s Providence. My congregation couldn’t support me financially, nor did I have help from others. Yet, not only did I lack nothing, but I was able to enroll at Sophia, visit Jerusalem, spend three months in Africa, and contribute to my stay at Claritas. The generosity of many people helped me during these years.” Father Milton is part of the recently established “Queen of Peace” community, which is involved with orphanages and after-school programs. However, he is incardinated as a priest in the Diocese of Sorocaba (São Paulo), and that is where he has returned.
He had been to Loppiano on September 1, 2009. “It was a surprising discovery. Getting to know the citadel and the members of the Focolare was a very profound experience. The impact was strong.”
This long stay allowed him to “experience that God gives us not only what we need but much more.” “My view of the world has also changed because I met people from many different countries. Now, every place has a face, and every face represents the experience of a person. This is how my conviction grew that a united world is truly possible.”
He considers “the experience of serving in the liturgy to be precious, but no less formative was the experience of welcoming visitors together with the inhabitants of the citadel.” Equally important and fruitful was his role in accompanying the Neocatechumenal community of the Valdarno.
Finally, a confession: “I leave with a mix of joy and sadness because I had a very special experience here, accompanied and guarded by Mary.” But there is a perspective that comforts him. His thesis on “Spiritual Friendship,” as part of his master’s degree in Trinitarian Ontology, still needs to be finished, after which he will defend it at Sophia, thus returning to the citadel. “I’ve understood how much studying leads us to God, to love more and serve better.”
See you soon, Father Milton.
