Rossi, Fr. Marcelo (Brazil)

Definition

Padre Marcelo Mendonça Rossi was born on May 20, 1967, in São Paulo, Brazil. He is a Roman Catholic priest, an extraordinarily successful Charismatic preacher, a singer, and (in his native country) closely associated with the *Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR). His success derives from his preaching style, emphasis on evangelization, and use of mass media.

Key Information

Padre Rossi grew up in São Paulo, in the district of Santana, with his parents, Vilma and Antônio, and his two sisters, Mônica and Marta. In 1989, he became a physical education instructor. At the age of 21, he changed career paths due to a personal crisis. His cousin had died in an accident, and his aunt had suffered a malignant tumor. Rossi states that he was comforted by the church, from which he had distanced himself 5 years before. Inspired by a TV series about the life of Pope John Paul II, he decided to become a priest. He studied philosophy at the University of Our Lady of Assumption (Universidade...