A healthy, friendly environment

It is a sunny but cold day at 3834 Country Road 61 in Robstown. The house is simple but welcoming: a round table, an open kitchen, and couches where you can sit and talk for hours. Surrounded by open land, it will soon have a chicken coop and an orchard – the first herbs and plants are growing…

The Farm of Hope is the first of its kind in North America. Originating in Brazil 40 years ago, there are now 170 communities in 26 countries on four continents. They aim to help people overcome addiction by finding a new meaning in life.

Cassiano Silva spearheads this new community in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Before, he led the Farms of Hope in Iguape, Sao Paolo, and Caico, Rio Grande do Norte. Ayres Rocha and Juliano Alves join him. All three of them are former addicts who found a new lifestyle through their time at a Farm of Hope (Fazenda da Esperança in Portuguese).

Bishop Michael Mulvey officially announced that the Farm of Hope stands ready to extend its embrace to our first brothers seeking a haven to rebuild their lives: “This community is envisioned as a vital instrument within our diocese, dedicated to serving the Church by offering assistance to families grappling with the challenges of their loved ones in various forms of addiction.”

All three missionaries have undergone remarkable transformations through their experiences at the Farm of Hope. They felt called to share their blessings and went to a school of formation. Now equipped with the skills to aid others on similar journeys, they’ve opened their doors with five beds awaiting new “brothers.”

Their approach is not a therapy or detox but a lasting lifestyle change: “Our life is based on three pillars: spirituality, community life and work.” A typical day on the farm consists of mealtimes together, prayer and meditating on the Word of God, tending to a vegetable garden, caring for a chicken coop, and working on a small sugar cane plantation. “Once a week, we share our experiences in living out the Gospel; another evening, we have adoration.” After trying out several other rehabs, Juliano Alves explains what helped him: “I had more time to make a change, I was in a healthy, friendly environment, and I found meaning through spirituality.”

Collaborative efforts extend to household chores, fostering a sense of community. The day concludes with moments of sharing and dedicated study to deepen understanding of the Charism of Hope.
After these months of preparation, the missionaries are ready to receive “brothers” who need help. They are also happy to share more about their community and mission and speak in your parish. Also, an open house can be arranged to get to know them personally.

Their email address is [email protected]

Read more about their life stories and journey in South Texas Catholic's Spring issue!