The activities began on the weekend of April 1st and 2nd, with six celebrations including the blessing of palms, one on Saturday and five on Sunday. A highlight was the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass, which began with the Blessing of the Palms at the Padre Eustáquio Marist School, followed by a procession of the faithful to the Sanctuary where the Holy Mass concluded. SEE THE PHOTOS

On Monday and Tuesday, Holy Mass was celebrated at the Sanctuary of Health and Peace. On Wednesday, in addition to the celebration at the Sanctuary, the procession of the encounter took place. The image of Our Lord of the Steps departed from the Santos Dumont Complex, while the image of Our Lady of Sorrows followed in procession from the Dona Paula Home. The faithful accompanied the procession in prayer to the Sanctuary, where the meeting of mother and son took place. Brother Vanildo Sena, ss.cc., delivered the Sermon of the Encounter in the church square.

On Holy Thursday, at 9:00 AM, priests, seminarians, and faithful from the Sanctuary of Health and Peace participated in the Mass of Unity (Holy Oils) at the Christ the King Cathedral. The celebration was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Belo Horizonte, Dom Walmor de Oliveira Azevedo. That evening, the Mass of the Washing of the Feet was held at the Sanctuary. This year, following the theme proposed by the 2023 Fraternity Campaign, "Fraternity and Hunger," those invited to have their feet washed in the ceremony were people who work in social action programs at the Sanctuary. There were four representatives from the Ladies of Charity, four from the Vincentians, and four from the Padre Eustáquio Bazaar. After the celebration, presided over by the rector of the Sanctuary, Father Vinícius Maciel, the Eucharistic Vigil was held.

On Good Friday, the program began early. At 7:00 AM, the Crown of Sorrows of Our Lady was celebrated at the Sanctuary. At the same time, a Stations of the Cross procession was held through the streets of the Padre Eustáquio neighborhood. At 12:00 PM, the Sermon of the Seven Last Words was delivered at the Church. At 3:00 PM, the Celebration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ took place, with adoration of the Holy Cross. In the evening, many people attended the Passion Play.

On Saturday, parishioners went to the Sanctuary for a cleanup effort. In the evening, there was a Blessing of the New Fire at the Padre Eustáquio Marist School, followed by a candlelight procession to the Church. After the celebration, there was a gathering at the Community Center. On Easter Sunday, concluding Holy Week 2023, there were five Masses at the Sanctuary.

In addition to the thousands of faithful who attended Holy Week in person at the Sanctuary, thousands more followed along on the Padre Eustáquio YouTube Channel, which broadcast almost the entire program for those who were unable to attend the Sanctuary.

CLICK HERE And see all the photos from the 2023 Holy Week celebrations at the Sanctuary.