From the foundation of the Brazilian TFP until his death, over a period of 35 years, Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira personally wrote, or indirectly inspired, hundreds of manifestos, declarations, press releases, open letters, collections of signatures, messages of every kind, in his name and on behalf of the TFPs of the whole world.94
In the last part of his life, when he displayed incredible activity, he increasingly appeared to be a man with a deep interior life, conforming to the model outlined by St Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”.95 In him, action was always the external effusion of the supernatural life from which he drew from reciting the rosary, daily Holy Communion and above all the constant protection of the faculties of the soul.
What struck his collaborators was the presence in him of apparently contrary virtues, such as simplicity and prudence, extreme combativity, as well as great amiability and sweetness. The affection and devotion of his disciples, who loved to be considered his children, grew increasingly around his paternal figure. The declaration of the TFP, which appeared on 3 November 1995, one month after his death, renders this touching testimony:
“In the midst of the modern tempest, his example of life, his unalterable faith, his intense piety, were, and continue to be now that God has called him back to himself, the spiritual support of all the members of the Brazilian TFP, as indeed of the autonomous and fellow TFPs. Many people owe him the immense grace of perseverance in the Faith; many others, who were wandering misled on the tortuous roads of the world, owe their return to the straight path to his words, his dedication and sacrifice.
“His solicitude for each and every member of the groups of the TFP was almost unlimited, and we can say that there is not a member or a volunteer who did not feel he was their true father.
“His fatherly attention reached its peak when there was a risk to the spiritual good of those whom Providence had in some way entrusted to him, never missing an occasion to offer a word of advice, a gesture of attention or a word of encouragement.”96
The TFP’s declaration recalls how Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira was favoured by Providence with a particular gift: the discernment of the intentions and secrets of the heart. The capuchin, Bishop Vital Maria Gonçalves de Oliveira,97 the figure in the Brazilian clergy who was most loved by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, affirmed that he had a special form of psychological penetration, inherited from his mother, with which he discerned people’s good and bad intentions. Dr Plinio had a similar aptitude, capable of penetrating the psychology and mentality of a person, by conversing with him or even just by examining his photograph. This capacity was born of natural talents but also of a special supernatural light. This should not cause any surprise: in fact the Church teaches that the natural faculties of man are elevated and reflected by virtues and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, necessary — says Leo XIII — for the “just man who lives the life of grace”.98
Notes:
94. Up to the last days of his life, he held four conferences per week for all the members of the TFP resident in São Paulo, as well as numerous meetings and assemblies of formation and study. The total number of conferences held by Dr. Plinio with the members of the TFP exceeds twenty thousand.
95. Gal. 2:20.
96. “Um homem de Fé, pensamento, luta e ação”, Catolicismo, no. 539-40, November-December 1995.
97. On Bishop Vital, cf. note 5 of chap. II.
98. Leo XIII, Encyclical Divinum illud munus, of 9-5-1897, in IP, Le fonti della vita spirituale, p. 51.