An Oasis in the desert Postscript. Ascending Faith

After Larry Walters balloon escapade in 1982 , in 2008 a Brazilian priest died after tying himself to 1,000 balloons  and being found in the ocean months later. Father Adelir Antonio de Carli had floated over the ocean. He had hopes of raising money for a chapel for truckers in his highway parish.

He set off from the Brazilian port city of Paranagua on 20 April, 2008, wearing a helmet, aluminum thermal flight suit and water proof coveralls, while attached to a parachute – and 1,000 balloons. The Roman Catholic priest wanted to break the 19-hour record for the longest time ballooned up in the  air.

De Carli was an experienced skydiver who had undergone survival and wilderness training, so he was no rookie, by any means. In fact, it was his second time doing the stunt. In January that year he used 600 balloons to go on a four-hour 5,000metre journey. He took off from the town of Ampere and landed safely in Argentina.

Upon his new adventure, de Carli carried a GPS tracker and radio so he could inform air traffic control of his position. However, eight hours after taking off, the 41-year-old went off the grid. Planes, helicopters and rescue teams searched high and wide for the priest, but to no avail.

Two days after takeoff, a number of multicoloured balloons were seen in the sea off Brazil’s southern Santa Catarina state near de Carli’s last contact point, according to reports. Sadly, his body was found months later in July and DNA tests confirmed that it belonged to the priest. Police said his corpse was discovered off the coast of southeastern Brazil.

Reports suggest that de Carli was struggling to work his GPS device, and that he felt ‘very cold, but fine’.

He was said to have reached an altitude of over 6,000mtrs, and was on course to descended to about 2500mtrs for his planned flight to Dourados. Unfortunately, he was said to have been blown off course by winds and before he lost contact, de Carli reportedly said he was ‘losing height’. 

As I reflected on both stories I was reminded that there occasionally emerges an oasis of inspiration that reminds us of the depth and mystery of human yearning. The story of Father Adelir Antonio de Carli’s balloon escapade carries profound spiritual lessons that guide us toward understanding the pursuit of purpose, faith, and the unforeseen journeys that lie ahead.

Father Adelir’s daring endeavor was not a mere spectacle; it was an embodiment of purpose. His intention to raise funds for a chapel dedicated to truckers in his parish was a testament to his unwavering commitment to service. In our own lives, this reminds us that the pursuit of our goals and dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem, can lead to profound impact. Just as the balloons lifted Father Adelir towards the sky, our aspirations can elevate our spirits and ignite our purpose.

As the balloons carried Father Adelir into the sky, he encountered challenges beyond his control – the winds that shifted his course and led him astray. These winds tell me of the unpredictable challenges that life presents to us. In our own spiritual journey, we often face unexpected circumstances that challenge our faith and determination. The story encourages us to find resilience within ourselves, even when life’s currents threaten to divert us from our chosen path.

Despite his valiant efforts, Father Adelir’s journey came to an untimely end as he was lost to the vastness of the ocean. The multicolored balloons that marked his presence in the sea remind us of the impermanence of our earthly pursuits. The oasis he sought, the chapel for truckers, remained unrealized in the physical realm. This teaches us that the true oasis lies beyond the material – it resides within the hearts and souls of those touched by our intentions and actions.

Father Adelir Antonio de Carli’s journey into the sky and his ultimate fate offer a profound metaphor for our own spiritual quests. His story teaches us that life’s journey is a delicate dance between purpose, challenges, solitude, and the elusive nature of fulfillment. As we traverse the desert of existence, may we remember the lessons from this oasis – to hold fast to our purpose, to remain resilient in the face of challenges, to find solace in silence, and to recognize that the true oasis is in the ripples of positive impact we create for others.