The ethnic Xavantes have serious problems, in food, health and sanitation. "A recent study - Povos Indigenas - shows that only 86% of children live beyond 10 years of age. In many cases, they die from preventable diseases, water pollution and poor health conditions that could be improved with basic public health measures ".
The Salesians have been working with the Xavantes for over a century and carry out an intense pastoral work. During Holy Week, sixty-four Xavantes, young and old, decided to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation. "We are experiencing an Easter spirit and we recently welcomed sixty-four Xavante who received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, in Palmeras and in Santa Clara," said the deacon Jose Alves de Oliveira SDB, Pastoral Coordinator.
It was without doubt an eminently "inculturated" celebration in the presence of Bishop Derek Byer of Primavera Paranatinga. There is also a study on the liturgy of the Xavantes, in which the author, G. Lachnitt, states that "among the Xavantes of Mato Grosso there is an advanced inculturation of Christian initiation rituals and celebrations of the same."
The Xavantes were prepared for the sacraments by Salesians, especially the Salesian student Wilton Alves, and a group of lay missionaries, who were catechists and godparents of the Xavantes.
They seem to echo the words of Pope Francis: "Being a Christian and being a missionary is the same thing. Proclaiming the Gospel, by word and, even more, by life, is the main purpose of the Christian community and all its members."
