Catechism of the Christian Doctrine in the Brasílica Language of the Kiriri Nation (Portuguese: Catecismo da doutrina cristã na língua brasílica da nação quiriri)[1] is a book by Luís Vincêncio Mamiani, published in 1698 in the city of Lisbon[2] by Miguel Deslandes. It is written in the Kipeá language.[3]
History
The work is the result of Mamiani's study and systematization of his experiences as a missionary to the Indigenous group in question, in the village of Jeru. On 26 June 1695, he sent a handwritten copy of this work to Tirso González.[2]
Facsimile reprint
The work was a rarity by the 19th century. As early as 1877, there was already interest in reprinting the catechism, as promised by the then-director of the National Library of Brazil, Benjamin Franklin Ramiz Galvão. However, only one copy was known to exist, held by Francisco Antônio Martins, who did not grant permission for its reproduction. Fruitless searches were carried out abroad, until in 1937 Luís Camilo de Oliveira Neto located a copy at the Vittorio Emanuele National Library (Fondo Gesuitico) in Rome. This discovery enabled the facsimile reprint undertaken by the Imprensa Nacional do Rio de Janeiro in 1942, following permission for photographic reproduction and authorization from the then Minister of Education, Gustavo Capanema.[4]
Structure
It is divided into three sections: the first presents the rudiments of faith and prayer; the second introduces the mysteries, commandments, and sacraments; and the third consists of recommendations for evangelizers, such as the preparation of Indigenous people to receive the sacraments or to make confession.[2]