On August 15th, devotees of Padre Eustáquio received a replica of the image of Our Lady of the Abbey of Água Suja. The image was donated by the Sanctuary of Romaria-MG, the first parish of Padre Eustáquio in Brazil.

The image arrived in Belo Horizonte around 6 PM and was received with celebration. In procession, devotees carried the image to the Padre Eustáquio Memorial and then placed it on the main altar of the Sanctuary of Health and Peace. The Holy Rosary was prayed, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Father Marcus Vinícius Maciel, ss.cc, responsible for the Cause of Canonization of Padre Eustáquio in Brazil.

[blockquote footer=”Father Vinícius Maciel.”]“Father Eustáquio’s connection with Our Lady of the Abbey dates back to 1925 when the Dutchman was assigned to the village of Água Suja, now the city of Romaria, in the Triângulo Mineiro region. He worked in the region for 10 years and was the builder of that Sanctuary.”[/blockquote]

The activities are part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Father Eustáquio's priestly ordination, which took place this August. On the 30th, there will be masses throughout the day and food stalls. It is estimated that 25,000 people will visit Father Eustáquio's church that day.