Msgr. João S. Clá Dias
Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, E.P., an honorary canon of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, is the founder of the Catholic international private association of Christ’s faithful of pontifical right Heralds of the Gospel, of the clerical society of apostolic life Virgo Flos Carmeli and of the society of apostolic life for women Regina Virginum.
Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias was born on August 15, 1939, in São Paulo, Brazil. His parents, António Clá Dias and Annitta Scognamiglio Clá Dias, were immigrants from Europe. His father, a Spaniard from Cádiz, and his mother, an Italian from Rome, imbued their home with a deep Catholic faith, one they had received from their forebears and which remained vibrant. This lively faith manifested itself early in João.
Already in school, he tried to organize a movement with his classmates to inspire young people with a sense of morality and virtue. A keen observer, he was dismayed to see that most human relationships were driven by selfish interests. He sought to rediscover and restore the true meaning of idealism and generosity.
He attended secondary school at Roosevelt College and went on to study law at the prestigious Faculty of Largo de São Francisco in São Paulo.
He later joined the Marian congregations. On May 23, 1956, he entered the Third Order of Carmel. This event left a lasting mark on his life. During his university years, he emerged as an active Catholic student leader.
Monsignor João Scognamiglio Clá Dias completed his mandatory military service with distinction as a member of the 7th Guard Company of the Brazilian Army, stationed in São Paulo. His exemplary performance earned him one of the army’s highest honours, the prestigious Marshal Hermes Medal – Aplicação e Estudo. During this time, he also embraced thrilling experiences such as parachuting.
Driven by a profound calling to dedicate his life to the apostolate, unwavering fidelity to the Magisterium of Saint Peter, and a strong commitment to thorough doctrinal formation, he pursued theological studies under renowned professors at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Among his mentors were Fr. Arturo Alonso Lobo, O.P., Fr. Marcelino Cabreros de Anta, C.M.F., Fr. Victorino Rodríguez y Rodríguez, O.P., Fr. Esteban Gómez, O.P., Fr. Antonio Royo Marín, O.P., Fr. Teófilo Urdánoz, O.P., and Fr. Armando Bandera, O.P. In a heartfelt expression of gratitude, Monsignor João later published biographies celebrating the lives and teachings of several of these influential masters.
His pursuit of spiritual and communal perfection led him in 1970 to initiate the formation of a religious community in a former Benedictine building in São Paulo. Although the first companions did not persevere, the seed he planted took root over time. Against many challenges, the community grew into a vibrant evangelization movement under Monsignor João’s leadership. This original foundation gave rise to numerous other communities where members could devote themselves to prayer and study, preparing for apostolic missions.
Recognized officially as a private association of the faithful, the Heralds of the Gospel were canonically established in the Diocese of Campo Limpo, Brazil. The movement’s reach soon extended far beyond national borders, with houses founded in more than twenty countries. In recognition of its growth and importance, the Pontifical Council for the Laity elevated the Heralds of the Gospel to the status of a private association of the faithful of pontifical right on February 22, 2001. Today, the association is active in seventy-eight countries across five continents.
Shortly after receiving this pontifical approval, the Vicariate of Rome entrusted the care of the Church of San Benedetto in Piscinula to the Heralds of the Gospel, affirming their important role within the universal Church.
As General President of the Heralds of the Gospel, Monsignor João Clá discerned a similar grace among a group of young women eager to dedicate themselves to the apostolate. Inspired by this, he felt called to establish a branch for women, enabling them to live in community with a way of life comparable to that of the men’s communities. The women’s branch flourished rapidly, and on April 4, 2009, the Holy Father officially recognized the Society of Apostolic Life Regina Virginum.
Every endeavour of Monsignor João Clá testifies to a faith that is alive, courageous, joyful, and unwavering. Endowed with exceptional oratory gifts, he has addressed packed audiences throughout Europe and the Americas, kindling enthusiasm for the truths of the faith, inspiring courage in the practice of virtue, and affirming the confident hope in the triumph of the Holy Catholic Church against the materialism, hedonism, and relativism of our age.
His deepest desire to serve the Lord and his brothers found its clearest expression when he chose to prepare for the priestly ministry alongside a few companions. Since the origins of the Heralds of the Gospel can be traced back to this group of men who became members of the Third Order of Carmel, it was fitting that Monsignor Lucio Angelo Renna, a Carmelite bishop and Bishop of Avezzano, Italy, would ordain the first members of the association to the priesthood.
This first group of men was ordained alongside Monsignor João Clá on June 15, 2005, in the same Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel where, fifty years earlier, he had begun his service to the Church and his brothers. Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, Archbishop of São Paulo, honoured the occasion with his presence. Seven bishops and seventy priests concelebrated the Mass.
These priests of the Heralds of the Gospel, along with those who followed, formed the clerical society of apostolic life Virgo Flos Carmeli, which was approved by Pope Benedict XVI on April 4, 2009. Monsignor João Clá, founder of Virgo Flos Carmeli, served as its Superior General until June 2, 2017.
Gifted with musical talent, he founded more than fifty choirs and symphonic ensembles across twenty-four countries. Until recently, he personally directed the international choir and orchestra of the Heralds of the Gospel, which performed in renowned churches and theatres throughout Europe and the Americas.
Driven by a desire to expand the reach of his apostolate, Monsignor João Clá authored and published numerous books that met with great success. While many of these were printed in the hundreds of thousands, some titles reached over one million copies sold. Many have been translated from Portuguese into French, English, Italian, Spanish, Polish, and Albanian. Notable titles include Fatima: Dawn of the Third Millennium; The Rosary: Prayer of Peace; The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Treasure of Goodness and Love; The Miraculous Medal: History and Heavenly Promises; Jacinta and Francisco, Mary’s Privileged; The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary; and Daily Prayers.
Four works stand out for the depth of research and scholarly excellence: The Mother of Good Counsel of Genazzano; Dona Lucilia; Commentaries on the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception; and New Insights on the Gospel.
Monsignor João Clá is a distinguished member of several esteemed scholarly organizations, including the International Thomistic Society and the Marian Academy of Aparecida. His academic, cultural, and scientific contributions have garnered international recognition. Notably, Mexico honoured him with its prestigious Medal of Science. Since 2002, he has been a regular contributor to Heralds of the Gospel magazine, offering insightful commentaries on the Gospel. The magazine reaches a diverse audience, being published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian.
In October 2007, Monsignor João Clá founded and became a key contributor to the academic journal Lumen Veritatis, published jointly by the Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophical Institute (Instituto Filosófico Aristotélico-Tomista – IFAT) and the Saint Thomas Aquinas Theological Institute (Instituto Teológico São Tomás de Aquino – ITTA).
Motivated by a deep commitment to apostolic and charitable work, particularly for the poor and marginalized, Monsignor João Clá established the charitable organization Fundo Misericordia. This foundation focuses on raising resources and providing direct support to individuals and institutions engaged in compassionate outreach throughout Brazil.
On August 15, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI awarded him the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in recognition of his faithful service to the Church.
In the early hours of November 1, 2024, at 2:30 a.m., strengthened by the sacraments and surrounded by his spiritual sons, Monsignor João Clá Dias peacefully entrusted his soul to God at the age of 85. After enduring fourteen years of suffering following a stroke, he passed away in Franco da Rocha, Brazil, leaving behind a fruitful legacy that continues to bear fruit within the Church.
