Inaugurated on October 12, 1931, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is one of the greatest Christian symbols in the world. Standing 30 meters tall, the statue is considered one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.

At the time of its inauguration, Father Eustáquio, attentive to the news, while in Água Suja (present-day Romaria), in the Triângulo Mineiro region where he carried out his mission, wrote an article that was published in the Jornal Romeiro on October 25, 1931.

Read the full text below:

On the 12th of this month, what every Brazilian Catholic heart had longed for was realized – a fact that will be written in golden letters in the history of Brazil – the inauguration of the gigantic statue atop Corcovado, the highest point rising from the heart of Rio de Janeiro to the blue sky of our beloved Brazil.

Yes, Brazil can write this unforgettable, indelible fact in the human heart with golden letters in its Catholic history; there is, therefore, no equal fact in times past, no more evident proof, no more valuable tribute, with which the Brazilian people, with all human respect at their feet, raising their heads only to the King of Kings, showed themselves to be a people of God, a people who grew up under the blessed arms of the Holy Cross.

Oh Brazil! May your example spread throughout the world. May the prayer of the great Cardinal Dom Leme reach the benevolent ears of divine Mercy: Oh Christ the Redeemer, may your open arms over the city, over Brazil, and over the whole world welcome in your mercy not only Catholics, but Protestants, followers of all religions, and unbelievers, so that all may return to their beliefs and their faith.

And the great Bishop D. João Becker, standing before the image of Christ the Redeemer, could not help but address his supplicating words to the whole of Brazil, saying: "I ask, I beg, I implore all the living forces of the country, all social classes, that, alongside the good and meritorious Provisional Government, they dedicate their noblest efforts to collaborating in the moral and political reconstruction of the Republic, to consolidate and establish, in the laws and teachings of Christ the Redeemer, the integrity, progress, and happiness of our great homeland.".

And having finished this article, I cannot offer better words to conclude it than those of the Reverend Canon Dr. Henrique de Magalhães:

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil is yours.
Christ the King saves our people.
Christ the Redeemer, have mercy on your people.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil expects everything from you.
Christ the King, Brazil acclaims you.