Next Tuesday, October 12th, the Church celebrates Our Lady of Aparecida as the Patron Saint of Brazil. Throughout the country, especially in the city of Aparecida, in São Paulo, there will be festive celebrations in honor of the Mother of God and ours.

At the Sanctuary of Health and Peace, the Church of Father Eustáquio, it will be no different. To celebrate the day of the Patron Saint of Brazil, there will be three masses during the day: at 7:30 am, 10:00 am, and 6:00 pm. Tickets will be required for all these celebrations. HERE either online or in person at the Parish Office during business hours.

Those who are unable to go to church can follow the services online. Padre Eustáquio Channel, on YouTube.

Ninety years ago, Our Lady of Aparecida was proclaimed patron saint of Brazil.

In 1717, after the fishing of the image of the Immaculate Conception, the nets of the three fishermen João Alves, Domingos Garcia, and Felipe Pedroso were filled with fish. It was a clear sign of the protective presence of the Mother of God, not only for those men but for all the people of the small village of Guaratinguetá. Just as happened at the wedding at Cana, Mary did not allow those poor fishermen, oppressed by the authorities, to have nothing to offer for the banquet they wanted to offer to Dom Pedro de Almeida e Portugal, the Count of Assumar, at the time governor of the province of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. In this way, as in the Gospel, Mary once again reveals her appreciation for the little ones. As a recognition of this maternal protection, devotion to the Virgin, who would later be proclaimed patron saint of the Brazilian nation, began in the small fishing village, with an improvised altar inside the huts.

Devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida spread rapidly. The fishing village quickly became one of the most visited cities in Brazil. In 1748, just 30 years after the miraculous catch of fish, the Jesuit Father Francisco da Silveira wrote a chronicle of a mission carried out in the area and said:

“"That image was molded from clay, its color is dark, but it is famous for the many miracles performed. Many flock from distant places, asking for help with their own needs."”

The construction of one of the largest churches in the world made it the preferred home of Catholics from all over the country and the world. But, although the Brazilian people had already chosen Our Lady of Aparecida as their protector, it was only in 1930 that Pope Pius XI accepted the request of the Brazilian bishops and signed the decree that officially made Our Lady of Aparecida the patron saint of the nation.

With the announcement of the proclamation, the festivities for the solemn celebration were prepared in the then Brazilian capital, Rio de Janeiro. The date chosen for the official proclamation was May 31, 1931. The celebration brought together about one million people and included the presence of the original image of Our Lady of Aparecida, which was leaving the Sanctuary for the first time. During the Solemn Mass, Dom Sebastião Leme read the Pope's declaration, and thus, the Brazilian people officially had their patron saint.

**Source: National Secretariat for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Father Eustáquio with information from vaticannews.va