October 13, 2021
09:10
Wesley Diego – from Cenarium
APARECIDA (SP) – The day started early for the faithful of the Virgin Mary at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida, in Aparecida, São Paulo, with masses starting at 5am. Accustomed to giving thanks for graces received, this year many had an extra reason to glorify: the cure from Covid-19. This is the case of Cleusa Nogueira do Carmo who, after getting rid of cancer, contracted the coronavirus.
“I was caught by surprise, on top of the pandemic. I had to have two bypass surgeries in my heart and six months later Covid embraced me. I asked Our Lady that if I got out of this alive, I would cross the catwalk on my knees”, she told CENARIUM.
Cleusa kept her promise and crossed, on her knees, the 389 meters of the famous Footbridge of Faith, which connects the Old Basilica and the National Sanctuary.
In the Chapel of the Candles, dozens of devotees put paraffin to burn. One of them is Marisa Martins Vicência, from Criciúma, Santa Catarina. She says she has only one request to make: “I am asking for a grace for an aunt of mine who has cancer”, she said. Marisa adds that she “totally believes” that the saint will help her.
But it is not only for health that the pilgrims beg. The couple Maguila Júnior and Maycon Simões, who live in Santos, São Paulo, are clamoring for Palmeiras, the team of their hearts, to reach the long-awaited world championship. Of the São Paulo teams, only the “alviverde” has never won the Club World Cup held in Japan.
“I am believing with faith that Our Lady of Aparecida will bring the World Cup to us this year”, says Maguila, who also says that he and his husband celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary this Tuesday.
Pilgrimage on Via Dutra
The pilgrimage of the faithful on Via Dutra, the highway that connects the capital city of São Paulo and the city of Aparecida, had an increase of 43% compared to 2019, according to data from NovaDutra, the concessionaire that administers the highway. In 2020, the Basilica suspended activities, but even so, 1,300 people walked to Aparecida.
The walk to the Sanctuary is a tradition and thousands of people are mobilized in this act of faith every year. Lourdes Nunes is one of these people. She left Mogi das Cruzes (Greater SP) with a group of 150 people and they walked for four days to Aparecida. The route is a little more than 140 kilometers. Lourdes says it is worth it. “Faith is the thing that makes me live. I have been a devotee of Our Lady for 46 years and the gratitude continues until today”, she says, moved.
To welcome everyone safely, the Sanctuary follows Covid-19 protocol with social distancing and mandatory mask wearing. This year devotees can enter the Basilica for celebrations, but with a limited number of 2.5 thousand people per mass. Worship services have also been organized at the Events Center, which holds up to 5,000 people simultaneously. It is expected that 60 thousand faithful will pass through Aparecida.
A disarmamentist homily
“To be a beloved country, be a country without hate. To be a beloved country, a republic without lies and without fake news. A beloved country without corruption. And a beloved country with fraternity. All brothers building the great Brazilian family”, said Dom Orlando Brandes, archbishop of Aparecida, during the traditional mass at the Sanctuary.
This was the archbishop’s tone in his reflection on the day of Brazil’s patron saint. Questioned by journalists during a press conference after the mass, Archbishop Orlando denied that the sermon was directed to president Jair Bolsonaro and said that it was “for all Brazilians”.
The archbishop also remembered the indigenous people, black people, and family who have lost relatives to Covid-19. “Embrace Brazil, embrace our people starting with the Indians. Let’s embrace the black people. Let’s embrace the Brazil bereaved by the 600,000 deaths. Let’s embrace our poor. And let’s also embrace the authorities so that together we can build a Brazil, a beloved country”, he concluded.
See more images of the celebration at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida: