My name is Joselene Barbosa Linhares; I'm Brazilian, from a city in the northeast called Esperanca-Paraiba. It is a beautiful city, so called because it's very green, with a lot of trees.

For some time now my symbol has been the sunflower.

There are three girls and one boy in my family. I am the eldest. I was born on the fourth of June 1973. During this month in my country we celebrate harvest, and we also have bonfire celebrations. Throghout the month there are religious celebrations in my area with folk dancing.

My brother is married, as is one of my sisters. Joseane the youngest, is still single and lives with my parents, Teresa and Sebastiao.

Before entering the Society I worked as a catechist and liturgist, accompanying groups of young people.

At the same time I had a certain anger and discomfort around the social and political injustice in my city.

Now I am much more aware of wishing to be with vulnerable young people and commit myself to the struggle for a cosmic life and to spread the charism of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus among those who surround me every day.…

I am grateful to my family: my mother Teresa, my father Sebastiao, my siblings Joileusa, Joseane and Josinaldo; my niece and nephew Laryssa and Matheus, my brother-in-law Marcos and my sister-in-law Simone.

I am also grateful to the Province of Argentina/Uruguay who welcomed me for a profound experience of the internationality of the Society of the Heart of Jesus.

I lived with our community in Villa Jardin, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 26th February till 30th of July 2010, and was part of the solidarity project Mano a Mano.