The Shalom Catholic Community was established in July 9th 1982 as a result of a life-changing encounter with Pope John Paul II that Moyses Azevedo had 2 years before. Led by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after this meeting, he and other young people at the time started to work for the evangelization of the youth, the poor and later of all man. The initial idea was to start a snack-bar or coff
ee-shop as a means to reach out the youth. The snack-bar offered not only what was on the menu but this was always followed by an invitation to come to Mass, to a prayer group, to receive spiritual counselling and prayer and many other christian social activities in the house. Not only the youth but their families and friends begun to feel more an more attracted to God and to His Church. The work started to bear many many fruits. The lives of those who were touched by it started to change. Soon, there were a lot of people involved and committed to spread the Good News of the Gospel. Always with the blessings and spiritual support of its local Archbishop. Later, some of its member felt a deeper call to commit themselves entirely to this work of evangelization as lay people. Soon the first members had their official promise to consecrate their lives for this purpose in a solemn commitment before the Church. It was just the beginning of something bigger than them...
New fronts of evangelization was developed through out the years. Works in social field, health care, in promoting human dignity, in arts & culture towards the youth, children, families, society's builders and so. What had started in Fortaleza city, Capital of Ceara State (Brazil) have now widen up and reached out the World. The Shalom Catholic Community is now present in many cities and Countries such as: Brazil, Italy, Rome, France, Switzerland, Argelia, Tunisia, Canada, Chile, Montevideo, Israel, Madagascar, Portugal, French Guiana, United Kingdom and others. It has over than 5,000 members and more than 30,000 participate in its activities through prayer groups and other works. After a long process of spiritual, human and ecclesiastic growth and after understanding more and more the new path the Lord has envisioned for them, in 1998 the Community received Canonical recognition from the Archbishop of Fortaleza. It became a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic, Covenant Communities and Fellowships. In 2007 the Community received its pontifical recognition by the Holy See as an International Association of the Faithful being thus recognized worldwide by Mother Church. In May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI, through the Pontifical Council for the Laity, granted the Definitive Approval of Shalom Catholic Community's Statutes as the Community celebrated its 30th Anniversary. The Church is saying to us "Go! Go and spread the Gospel throughout the World! Reach the heart and soul of all men who suffers because they don't know Christ!".
