Priest from Minas Gerais carries passion for Flamengo
Member-supporter, religious man loves the trio God, the Church and Rubro-Negro
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
To support Flamengo, you don't need any qualifications, just love, in your own way, the Sacred Mantle. Among the 40 million passionate fans is Júlio César Ferreira. Now 32, he decided at a young age to attend seminary to become a priest. A native of Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Júlio César currently resides in Formigas, also in Minas Gerais. There, he is known not only for his Masses, but also for another passion: Flamengo.
Born into a family of Flamengo fans, the priest has never hidden the fact that, after God and the Church, the Most Beloved is his greatest love. Júlio César says that being a Flamengo priest in Minas Gerais is no easy task. "I had the chance to watch the Galacticos da Gávea, even as a child. Zico, Júnior, Adílio, and company made my eyes shine. They were champions of everything. When I entered the Seminary, I was already a die-hard Flamengo fan. While I talked about Flamengo, the other priests talked about Minas Gerais teams, but I always did well in the soccer reviews (laughs)," he said.
The Minas Gerais native guarantees he never misses a game, but even with his friends watching Flamengo's matches in Ouro Branco, he tries to be present at Maracanã whenever distance and his religious duties allow. A fan since the program's inception, he asserts that his ultimate goal is to help the club that has made him smile so much.
If you're a Flamengo fan like Júlio but haven't yet become a member, now's your chance. Nação Rubro-Negra has plans starting at R$29,90. Click here and sign up.
With the ease of purchasing tickets online, Júlio César attended the 2013 Copa do Brasil final, where Flamengo won the championship. "Many people think that being a priest might interfere with my being a fan, and vice versa, but there's no connection. If you walk around a stadium and watch people praying, praying, and cheering, you realize how closely related religion and sports are. Contrary to popular belief, soccer often helps me connect with people. In the final Copa do Brasil game last year, for example, I was looking for my seat when I was intercepted by a young man who recognized me as a priest from Formigas. I couldn't believe it. A packed Maracanã stadium, and a fan recognized me right there in the crowd. We stopped, talked, and became friends. We've kept in touch, our friendship, and a month ago, I celebrated his wedding in Belo Horizonte. That's very gratifying," he said.
Born into a family of Flamengo fans, the priest has never hidden the fact that, after God and the Church, the Most Beloved is his greatest love. Júlio César says that being a Flamengo priest in Minas Gerais is no easy task. "I had the chance to watch the Galacticos da Gávea, even as a child. Zico, Júnior, Adílio, and company made my eyes shine. They were champions of everything. When I entered the Seminary, I was already a die-hard Flamengo fan. While I talked about Flamengo, the other priests talked about Minas Gerais teams, but I always did well in the soccer reviews (laughs)," he said.
The Minas Gerais native guarantees he never misses a game, but even with his friends watching Flamengo's matches in Ouro Branco, he tries to be present at Maracanã whenever distance and his religious duties allow. A fan since the program's inception, he asserts that his ultimate goal is to help the club that has made him smile so much.
If you're a Flamengo fan like Júlio but haven't yet become a member, now's your chance. Nação Rubro-Negra has plans starting at R$29,90. Click here and sign up.
With the ease of purchasing tickets online, Júlio César attended the 2013 Copa do Brasil final, where Flamengo won the championship. "Many people think that being a priest might interfere with my being a fan, and vice versa, but there's no connection. If you walk around a stadium and watch people praying, praying, and cheering, you realize how closely related religion and sports are. Contrary to popular belief, soccer often helps me connect with people. In the final Copa do Brasil game last year, for example, I was looking for my seat when I was intercepted by a young man who recognized me as a priest from Formigas. I couldn't believe it. A packed Maracanã stadium, and a fan recognized me right there in the crowd. We stopped, talked, and became friends. We've kept in touch, our friendship, and a month ago, I celebrated his wedding in Belo Horizonte. That's very gratifying," he said.