International Association of Christ’s Faithful of Pontifical Right
Who are the Heralds of the Gospel?
The Heralds of the Gospel is an International Association of Christ’s Faithful of Pontifical Right, the first to be erected by the Holy See in the third millennium, on the occasion of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on February 22, 2001. “The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery of one’s vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfill one’s mission.” (Christifidelis Laici, 58) Fidelity to the Holy Church has led the Heralds of the Gospel to become a flourishing institution throughout the world.
Our Founder
Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias
Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP, (August 5, 1939 – November 1, 2024) was born in São Paulo, Brazil. He obtained degrees in philosophy, theology, psychology, and humanities from various universities. He earned his doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome and in Theology from the Pontifical Bolivarian University in Medellín, Colombia. In 1970, he began a religious community life, which sowed the seeds for three institutions of Pontifical Right. Monsignor João is the founder and was Superior General of the Heralds of the Gospel and of the Virgo Flos Carmeli Clerical Society of Apostolic Life until 2017, as well as founder of Regina Virginum, a Society of Apostolic Life for the female members of the Heralds, entities that extend their activities to more than 70 countries. In 2005, he was ordained a priest to serve more fully in the New Evangelization. To provide a solid formation to the Heralds, he founded the St. Thomas Aquinas Theological Institute and the Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophical Institute. He wrote seventeen works, published in seven languages, some of which have exceeded two million copies. Monsignor João was an Honorary Canon of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and Apostolic Protonotary. He has been honored in several countries for his evangelizing, cultural, and scientific activities and received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Benedict XVI on August 15, 2009.
Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
How does one gain insight into the public life of Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira? There is no better way than to turn to the teachings of the Gospel. “Let your light shine before men” (Mt 5:16), as proclaimed by the Divine Master. Yes, grace shone in Dr. Plinio through a combination of diverse and consistent lights in a mystical and unique way. They were reflected even in his writings, but, above all, they made his gestures engaging, his words compelling, his demeanor imposing, and his presence captivating. The crowds followed him enthusiastically, and his speeches produced fiery applause; his figure, in short, was seen as a great prophet, made to lead society to perfection, destroying revolutionary errors. Consequently, there are no doubts in proclaiming that Dr. Plinio was the voice of Christ for the 20th century. (Heralds of the Gospel Magazine – July 2016).
Dona Lucilia Corrêa de Oliveira
Even without knowing her biography or any relevant episode of her long existence, when people see her appearance so resplendent with goodness, they feel inclined to appeal to her mediation, encouraged by a singular inner certainty of being helped. Only after experiencing the benefits of Dona Lucilia's heavenly help does the desire to know her life and the sublime virtues that adorn her beautiful soul arise in them.
