The parishioners of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Poá, in Greater São Paulo, began the festivities for their patron saint yesterday, February 2nd. The opening mass was celebrated by the parish priest, Father Reginaldo Martins da Silva.

During the nine days of the novena, Holy Mass will be celebrated by invited priests. Check it out:

Day 2 – Fr. Reginaldo Martins da Silva
Day 03 – Father Rafael Rodrigues Xavier
Day 4 – Fr. Victor Almeida Moreira
Day 5 – Father Antônio Carlos Fernandes
Day 6 – Fr. Thiago Cosmo da Silva
Day 7 – Fr. Marco Aurélio de Aguiar
Day 8 – Fr. Leonardo Félix dos Santos
Day 9 – Fr. Rui Galdino
Day 10 – Father Beniamino Resta

On the 11th, the day of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Eucharist will be presided over by the parish priest, Father Reginaldo. Masses will always be held at 7:30 PM, both in person and via live stream on the parish's Facebook page. (follow here).

This year Jefferson Reynaldo Lopes and Katia Itamara de Almeida Lopes will be the festival organizers. The flag bearers will be André Marques Gonçalves and Luciana Remigio Gonçalves.

Father Eustáquio was parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Poá, São Paulo, from 1935 to 1941. He had a special affection for the sick and suffering. He built a grotto in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes and made available holy water mixed with water he himself had brought from France during his pilgrimage to Lourdes while on vacation in the Netherlands in 1935. To learn more about Father Eustáquio's time in Poá, Click here and access the life and history of the Blessed.