In Brazil, an 80-year-old widow named Aparecida demonstrates the power of charitable giving through her remarkable dedication to helping others despite her own limited resources. Like the widow in the Gospel story who gave her last two coins, Aparecida doesn’t donate what she has left over—she sacrifices what she needs, exemplifying the purest form of charitable giving.
ACN Benefactor Aparecida Oliveira with Deacon Bruno Redígolo
Aparecida de Oliveira raised eight children, including one with disabilities, mostly on her own. Despite receiving only a small monthly pension, she was moved to action after reading about suffering Christians in the monthly magazine of Aid to the Church in Need. She began collecting spare change in a plastic bag, with each coin representing a personal sacrifice—something she denied herself to help others in greater need.
“Those coins were sacred to me. No one could touch them. They were with me, but they already belonged to ACN,” Aparecida explains, demonstrating how religious donations can be a deeply meaningful way to express one’s faith.
When she finally brought her heavy bag of coins to a Mass for benefactors at São Paulo’s Saint Benedict’s Monastery, her humble contribution moved Friar Rogério Lima so deeply that he shared her story during his sermon, explaining that the bag wasn’t just filled with coins—it was filled with miracles.
From left to right Daughter of Aparecida Oliveira, Ana Manente (President of Concil of ACN Brazil), Aparecida de Oliveira and Friar Rogério Lima (Eclesiastical Assistance of ACN Brasil)
Aparecida’s faith-filled approach to charitable giving inspires us all: “You can give away everything that Jesus places in your heart, because He will provide for all your needs.”
Through contributions like the one of Aparecida, Aid to the Church in Need supports over 5,000 projects annually worldwide, transforming the lives of millions of Christians facing persecution, discrimination, or extreme poverty.
Ready to make your own miracle? Even small donations can create significant impact when given with love. Donate today and join thousands of benefactors like Aparecida in bringing hope to those who need it most.
