Happiness came to him through Padre Pio. He now studies Theology and Philosophy at the  Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (PUSC) with twenty Brothers from his congregation, the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, including seminarians and priests.

Guilherme was born on October 26, 2003, in Aracaju, the capital of the state of Sergipe, in northeastern Brazil. A city known for its warm climate, extensive beaches, and peaceful atmosphere on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, he currently lives in Rome and is currently in his second year of the philosophy program, before beginning his third year of theology studies at PUSC.

The origins of Guilherme Silva

Guilherme Silva is a seminarian at the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious institute. He comes from a Catholic family, although he didn’t attend Mass every Sunday and rarely prayed the rosary. He is the youngest at home; he has a sister who is four years older than him.

His mother always made sure that he and his sister received at least the initial sacraments, and then gave them the freedom to choose whether to continue on the path of faith. For Guilherme, this was a very positive development, at least until he was 14, when his life began to change in a particular way.

Adolescence and some inner wounds caused him to distance himself from God and to pursue happiness in a misguided way.

At the age of 12, during that period, he began to experience some of the negative experiences of adolescence, influenced primarily by uninspiring friendships he had, especially at school. Added to this were some long-standing inner wounds, which led him to seek happiness in things he thought were good, but which in reality weren’t.

Little by little, he began to leave God aside. He only maintained a connection with Him through pastoral work in his parish, where he worked as a catechist assistant. That was one of the few things he still did within the Church.

Yet, amidst all this, a deep sadness grew within him, as did a constant search for meaning in his life. He felt the need to find a “cause” to which he could dedicate his life.

A spark of hope: Confirmation

At that time, he began Confirmation, and he did so willingly, because he felt it would lead him to something good. In fact, he had many wonderful experiences during that year (we’re talking about 2018, when he turned 15). He also reconnected with a friend who frequently invited him to Sunday Mass.

There was a youth group in his parish that he really wanted to join, but due to some difficulties—such as distance and schedule—he found it difficult. However, after receiving Confirmation, he moved to a different neighborhood and was closer to the parish. A few weeks later, he began participating in the youth group.

That changed his life in an incredible way! He met other young people who had the same desire as him: to give their lives for a truly worthwhile cause, Jesus. They were few, but we had an immense thirst for something more.

True conversion

Guilherme began to learn about the lives of the saints, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, tradition… All of this helped him leave behind his vices and seek virtues. He called this period of his life his conversion, although it wasn’t just his own, but also that of his family.

In fact, they saw that he was no longer the same: “My friendships changed, my arguments changed, even my way of dressing. But above all, there was one essential change in my life: prayer.”

Prayer was what began my days, filled them, and ended them. The happiness I had long sought was present!

The longing to love and the impact of Saint Pius

Guilherme felt lonely and longed for love: someone to love. So he began to ask God to allow him to find a young woman who was seeking the same thing he was: to become a saint. This was in 2019.

Some time later, in the youth group, they watched a film about the life of Saint Padre Pio. His life and his total dedication to God struck a chord in his soul: “I was no longer the same. No matter how hard I tried to go on with my life as if nothing had changed, I couldn’t.”

There was a young woman who interested him greatly, but after that “encounter” with Padre Pio, he no longer saw any point in pursuing that idea, or any other. What burned in his heart was another desire: “I wanted to become a religious.”

First steps: meeting with the Community

Guilherme confided this desire to a friend who was part of the same youth group and was already on a vocational journey. “He welcomed my openness of heart, and invited me to the community of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to participate in a celebration on  October 13th, in honor of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima.

There I confessed and participated in Mass. Everything I experienced that day deeply touched my heart. I returned a few more times, but the community was very far from my home, and due to my lack of perseverance, I stopped attending for a year.

Firm decision: abandonment and total surrender

Guilherme’s parish life became increasingly active, and to further discern and nurture his vocation, he entered the ministry of altar servers in 2020. At the end of that same year, he returned to the community, determined to resume his vocational journey with the Servants, and so he did.

In the meantime, he finished school and was accepted to the Federal University in his state. However, in order to gain a year of experience within the community, he decided to forgo his long-awaited university position. From 2021 to August 2023, he was active in the community as a consecrated and “vocational” lay person.

“I had so many beautiful experiences: Marian missions, meetings with young people and children in the oratory… I met many people who enriched my life with their good examples, especially in the parishes I attended.”

Arrival in Rome: formation, gratitude and fidelity

In August 2023, he arrived in Italy, entrusting his family and friends to Jesus’ care so he could follow him more closely and begin his seminary training. He is currently in his second year of postulancy and also in his second year of Philosophy.

“Every day I am more grateful to the Lord for the grace of having received a special call, but even more so for having been able to respond.”

Her vocational and conversion journey is driven by the infinite love I receive from God every day, and also by the healing of the many wounds He has allowed in my life. “I offer my existence to Him daily, so that I may be an instrument of healing and a channel of grace for so many others; so that they may discover how much love surrounds them and who it is who loves them: Love!  And that Love can only be responded to by loving .”

Thanks to the benefactors of the CARF Foundation

Guilherme also wishes to express his sincere gratitude to the benefactors of the CARF Foundation, who make it possible for him to continue his education at such a high-quality university. “I assure you of my prayers every day, and I ask that you remember me in yours, so that I may remain steadfast and always faithful to God’s holy designs.”