The Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Poá celebrates Father Eustáquio. The city's first vicar has been beatified by the Catholic Church since 2006.

The festival ends only on August 30, the date on which the 74th anniversary of the religious figure's death is celebrated, but the fair ends this Saturday (26) and Sunday (27).

Visitors can enjoy barbecue, tempura, "buraco quente" (a type of hot sandwich), hot dogs, pastries, pizza, cakes, and other treats at the stalls.

The church fair takes place in Largo da Matriz starting at 5:30 PM. "The money raised at the festival is for the maintenance of the church. Also, at each mass we ask for food donations to assemble basic food baskets for needy people in the city," explained the flag bearer, Alfredo Silva Neto.

On Sunday, the celebration will include the 2nd Global Action, at the Padre Eustáquio Evangelization Center, next to the main church.

According to the festival organizers, various professionals will be providing services to the public. These include ophthalmologists, nurses, nutritionists, hairdressers, lawyers, and others.

The program includes a first-aid course. Those who wish can also enjoy a delicious pasta lunch, and in the afternoon there will be Zumba classes.

Religious programming

Every day at 7:30 PM, the masses of the Padre Eustáquio novena take place, each day with a different priest.

On the 30th, the religious program will be special. At 3 pm, Father Reginaldo Martins da Silva will preside over the traditional Mass for the Sick, a celebration dedicated to elderly people, those who are ill, or those with some degree of mobility difficulties. Then, at 7:30 pm, the closing Mass will be celebrated with the traditional blessing of the water.

FATHER EUSTÁQUIO

Born in the Netherlands, Father Eustáquio van Lieshout came to Brazil in 1925 and ten years later was transferred to Poá.

In the city he became known as the "Saint of Poá," for his pastoral work with the sick and for the holy water from the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which attracted thousands of people to the city.

In 2005, the Vatican recognized one of his miracles, and the following year, Father Eustáquio was beatified, a step prior to canonization. The faithful and devotees pray that he will indeed be recognized as a Saint soon.

Source: G1 Portal