The profound alterations in mentalities and customs that shook the world in that historical context were followed by political revolutions. However, while in some countries revolutionary minorities provoked bloodbaths, in vast and laid-back Brazil, the reluctance to fight almost always overcame the desire to win.
In most instances, political manoeuvring averted confrontations whose consequences could have been tragic.
Until 1930 Brazil had been governed by a conservative regime, rurally based and with aristocratic traits, but which affirmed doctrinal adherence to a representative liberal democracy founded on universal suffrage. The contradiction between its doctrinal inspiration and its political practice was notorious. History termed this regime “The First Brazilian Republic.”
In Brazil, a wave of protests came from various sectors of society, agitating for a political practice consistent with the government’s doctrinal inspiration. In the wake of the intense public stir that this generated, the “Liberal Alliance” overthrew the First Republic in the Revolution of 1930.
Dona Lucilia, a lady of conservative habits and convictions, naturally viewed the various upheavals and rebellions that marked the end of one Brazil and the beginning of another with much unease.
At the moment when the armed military coup of 1930 broke out, Plinio was spending a few days with cousins on a ranch in Campos do Jordão. Dona Lucilia was deeply concerned for her son’s safekeeping, there being persistent rumours of a general mobilization of young men of military age to fight the rebel troops.
“God demands Hope of those to whom He gives Faith”
As soon as he could, Plinio sent her a letter overflowing with filial love in which he described the splendid ranch, where he had been given a royal welcome, and asked her not to worry about his well-being or his health. After saying that he had received Holy Communion for her intentions in Pindamonhangaba and asking for news of the family, Plinio gives Dona Lucilia some filial advice for the turbulent times.
Let’s talk about you now. I hope you have all the religious spirit needed in the present circumstances. Hope is a virtue that flows from Faith.
God demands Hope from those to whom He gives Faith. Therefore, trust in God, because not a single hair falls from our head without His consent. This being so, what do we have to fear, when we are protected by a God of infinite Power and Mercy?
You, who like so much to orient yourself by Grandpa Ribeiro’s principles, should remember the great confidence he had in God to the point of giving his last 2$000 to a beggar, certain that he would lack nothing so long as he did not lack the grace of God!
And you, who unlike he did, frequent the Sacraments, must have a much greater confidence in God.
Receive Holy Communion assiduously, but without harm to your health, and pray much to Our Lady. The rest will take care of itself.
I send most affectionate hugs and kisses to Papa, Rosée, Grandma, and Maria Alice. To Antonio, a strong and fraternal hug. To Aunt Yayá, Uncle Adolpho, Dora, and Adolphinho many hugs and saudades. The same to the rest of the family. To you, finally, my whole heart, all my affection, all my tenderness, and all my respect. Bless the son who loves you so much.
Plinio soon wrote his mother again, repeating the suggestion of his previous missive, in a filial and respectful tone:
My beloved little mother,
I am writing this to send you a most affectionate kiss, and to ask you to remember that you are a Catholic and that God’s protection will never fail you. I received Communion here today and prayed much for you and our whole family. Jesus will heed me.
Take good care of your liver. Tell Rosée, to whom I send a tender kiss, not to forget my request; she knows what I refer to.
To you, my dear, my whole heart. See you soon. Bless your Son.
The continual prayers of a loving mother
Dona Lucilia’s apprehension surfaces in another letter, one that she wrote to Plinio at this time, telling him of her countless prayers, beseeching God to preserve him from all danger.
São Paulo, 13-10-1930
Beloved Son!
I hope, in God, that you are in good health, and in His name I ask you to employ utmost care and prudence in avoiding any and every illness or accident.
My liver is doing better than could be expected, and, as for my health, do not worry, because everything is as usual.
Fortunately, your grandmother is on the mend. Maria Alice still has a mild cough, but is already better, and prays for you daily. And I do too, all day long… with rosaries, chaplets, litanies, novenas, etc.…
I have already requested prayers from the nuns of Luz Convent, who sent me some four or six pebbles from Friar Galvão’s tomb that I would like to send to you so that you could always keep them with you, to cure or protect you from diseases and dangers. I will also request prayers from the nuns of Perdizes, and every day I ask for a candle to be lit in front of St. Expedite. I have made promises to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and to St. Louis, your protector.
May God hastily grant the return of peace! We will remain in the capital, for I believe that nothing will happen here. Your father, the siblings, and your uncle’s people send hugs.
“Beside myself” with saudades, I hug you, kiss you again and again, and cover you with blessings.
From your very devoted mother,
Lú
A sign from the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
Divine Providence could not but console such a good heart. In her distress, Dona Lucilia would receive a token of heavenly tenderness from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Plinio in artillery training in 1929
The incident occurred when her anguish over Plinio’s situation was at its climax. While at prayer, she placed a rose in a bud vase at the foot of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the parlour, imploring the Divine Saviour to save her son from danger and to give her a sign that she had been heeded.
Having made the request, she stepped into the garden for a stroll, while most certainly continuing her prayers.
Suddenly there was a distant roar of cannons, and Dona Lucilia became greatly alarmed. But news soon arrived of the resignation of President Washington Luís in Rio de Janeiro. The cannons had been fired to celebrate the victory of the military uprising.
Upon hearing the news – whose immediate consequence was the end of hostilities, she promptly went back to the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to thank Him for this outcome of the complex series of events that had started to unfold across the country. Great was her surprise when she saw that all the petals of the rose that she had placed there moments before had fallen to the floor!
She would recount this meaningful episode until the end of her life, brimming with gratitude toward her Divine Protector. ◊
Taken, with minor adaptations, from:
Dona Lucilia. Città del Vaticano-Nobleton: LEV;
Heralds of the Gospel, 2013, p.302-308
