Aparecida Shrine Receives Crowd in CelebrationOn October 12, devotees from all over Brazil gather at the National Shrine of Aparecida, in the interior of São Paulo. Paulo, to celebrate the Day of Our Lady of Aparecida, Patron Saint of Brazil. The site, considered the largest Marian temple in the country, expects to receive around 35,000 faithful by celebrating throughout the six masses scheduled for the day.
The festival, which traditionally attracts pilgrims from all regions, has been bustling since the beginning of the week. To accommodate pilgrims arriving at dawn, the program begins with a vigil, held from midnight to 4:30 a.m., followed by the first mass at 6 a.m. The main ceremony, which will take place at 9 a.m., will be conducted by the Archbishop of Aparecida, Dom Orlando Brandes. In previous years, the archbishop has addressed sensitive issues in his sermons, such as abortion, and asked for prayers for peace in international conflicts.
The faithful will also be able to visit some of the most significant places in the Shrine, such as the niche that houses the image of Our Lady of Aparecida and the Chapel of Candles, which will be open from the early hours of the day. The Hall of Promises and the Historic Basilica, places that house testimonies and thanks from devotees, will also be open for visitation.
This year's Patron Saint Festival has the theme “Mother Aparecida, welcome us as pilgrims of hope,” inviting the faithful to reflect on the Jubilee. The Shrine will be open 24 hours a day until the end of the festivities on Sunday (13).
October 12 Schedule
- Midnight to 4:30 a.m. – Marian Vigil
- 5:45 a.m. – Dawn
- 6 a.m. – Mass
- 9 a.m. – Solemn Mass
- 12:00 p.m. – Ringing of the Bells
- 12:00 p.m. – Children's Mass
- 2 p.m. – Mass
- 3 p.m. – Solemn Consecration in the Historic Basilica
- 4:00 p.m. – Mass
- 6 p.m. – Closing Mass, followed by a solemn procession and fireworks display
In addition to physical attendance, the celebrations can be followed live on the National Shrine's social media accounts, the Aparecida app, and the Basilica's official website.
Parking and Services
The National Shrine parking lot has 2,000 spaces for buses and 3,000 spaces for passenger cars. Rates vary according to the type of vehicle, with R$$ 35 for passenger cars, R$$ 95 for buses, and R$$ 18 for motorcycles. Bicycles can be parked free of charge, provided they are secured with a lock.
This annual celebration is one of the largest religious events in the country, reinforcing the faith and Brazilians' devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida.
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