Brazil

The Grail Movement in Brazil began its activities between 1949 and 1951, in the cities of São Paulo, Belo Horizonte-MG and Angra dos Reis-RJ, always having as our main objective the construction of a fairer society, with gender equity. Grail action in Brazil has changed over the years; however, always we have been guided by the practice of popular education in human and community development, in urban and rural areas.

In São Paulo, the Grail Movement team developed training programs with participation of women from the interior of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as other countries. Programs in Belo Horizonte began in 1957 with participation of women from the cities of Sete Lagoas, Bambuí, Divinópolis, Belo Horizonte and Pirapora.

During the military dictatorship in Brazil (1964 to 1985), our activities were interrupted. The Grail Movement, after ten years of suspended activity, resumed under the leadership of four very special women: Maria Elizabeth Huskeins (Betinha), Elizabeth Caminada (Bep), Geralda Magela Diniz (Lalá) and Mary Alice Duddy (Alice). Each were motivated by a common commitment to interest as many women as possible to our unique Grail Movement. As in the parable of the talents, each one of them took on this task in a very particular way. These four women were the foundation of the Grail in Brazil and served as inspiration for other women to begin their own journey in search of the Grail chalice and true life.

Today the Grail in Brazil has around 50 active members, organized into six local groups, along with other women who are in the process of knowing the Grail. They are mostly concentrated in the state of Minas Gerais, but are also present in other states: Brasília, in the central plateau region and associates in the cities of Angra dos Reis-RJ, Abadiânia-GO, Jaraguá do Sul – SC, Jaguaribe – CE and Manaus – AM.