Lay Movements: Part XI; Heralds of the Gospel.

In Rome on the morning of February 28, 2001, Pope John Paul II welcomed a thousand jubilant members of the Heralds of the Gospel gathered for a landmark celebration. With unusual haste, the Vatican had approved the association's request to be raised to the status of an "Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right". This was due to the insistence and recommendations of dozens of bishops from around the world.

After a Mass of celebration in St. Peter's Basilica, the Heralds gathered two days later for Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of Rome's four principle basilicas. Their music was so beautiful the rector requested that in the future the group preside over the music at the church.

Who are they?

The Heralds of the Gospel originated with the Virgin of Fatima Associations that unite more than half a million Catholics worldwide. Older members of the latter association and their founder, Joao (John) Cla Dias, of Brazil, had been involved in youth formation and evangelization for decades. The Heralds are now present in almost thirty countries. Mostly young lay people, the men and women live in separate houses but collaborate in their work of evangelization.

Charism and Spirituality

Every new movement has its own charism and, for the Heralds, this is a deep desire to seek perfection in all they do in obedience to Christ's command, "Be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Whether in daily life or in their apostolic work, they seek to do everything with the splendour of truth and the splendour of goodness, namely, with beauty. From this stems their desire to live and proclaim the Gospel ceremoniously, to best reflect the beauty of God.

Their spirituality is based on three essential focal points: the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin and the Pope. Members are consecrated to Jesus and Mary through the prayer of St. Louis de Montfort. Special consideration is given to the Blessed Virgin's requests at Fatima in deference to the importance given them by the Holy Father.

The formation of a Herald lasts about a year, and is demanding. They study the liberal arts and languages and attend to spiritual growth. Many of the Heralds speak several languages. A profound life of prayer is their hallmark. Fifteen decades of the Rosary are recited daily along with daily Mass at their local parish. Most houses have a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament for adoration and special Masses.

Means of evangelization

Aware of the important role of art and culture in evangelization, the Heralds have a special talent for music and have formed a number of musical ensembles for their ministry. The best known is the Knights of the New Millennium, under the direction of their founder Joao Dias. They have toured Europe and the Americas. The Knights have a vast repertoire of some of the most beautiful choral and instrumental music ever composed. Giving presentations to young and old, poor and rich, in crowded cathedrals, churches, auditoriums, stadiums and schools, they are at their best when performing for the less fortunate in prisons and hospitals.

Local groups seek to meet the needs of the Church, mostly to youth, in areas of education, animation or coordination as well as costumed proclamations of the Gospel. The youth ministry is a source of formation for youth between twelve and twenty. The young people receive basic catechism, dramatization of the Old and New Testaments, moral formation and wholesome friendship.

The Heralds also further the work of the Virgin of Fatima Association. In Canada, this is done through the "Save Me O Holy Queen, by the Grace of Jesus" campaign, which reaches coast to coast by means of caravans of young people spreading devotion in parishes and on the streets, distribution of flyers and devotional material, maintaining contact with tens of thousands of members, and overseeing the travels of six pilgrim statues of the Blessed Virgin to private homes. There are five main houses in Canada: Richmond Hill as the motherhouse, Scarborough, North York, Hamilton and Montreal.

To contact the Heralds of the Gospel: call Marcos Faes at 905-787-9556 in Richmond Hill, ON, E-mail: [e-mail]