see religious messages and phrases to celebrate the patron saint of Brazil

One of the saints with the greatest national devotion, Nossa Senhora Aparecida was the name given to an image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição found by fishermen in the Paraíba do Sul River, in São Paulo. Celebrated this Saturday, October 12, Our Lady of Aparecida Day is dedicated to the patron saint of Brazil, and is the only national holiday of the month.

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On the holiday dedicated to the saint, more than 200 thousand people usually visit the Aparecida National Sanctuary. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the place — which, in fact, hosted the last three Catholic popes, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis.

Pilgrims arrive at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida this Saturday – Photo: Disclosure/ Severino Silva

Messages for the Day of Our Lady of Aparecida

See some phrases and religious messages to send on the Day of Our Lady of Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil:

1. May Our Lady of Aparecida illuminate our paths with blessings and protection!
2. Under Mary’s mantle, may we find peace, strength and renewed faith.
3. May Mother Aparecida always guide and protect us, today and every day!
4. On the Day of Our Lady of Aparecida, may our hearts be filled with hope and light.
5. May the faith of Our Lady of Aparecida strengthen our journey and bring victory.
6. May the Mother of us all bless you with peace, love and wisdom.
7. On this day of faith, may Our Lady of Aparecida cover our lives with grace.
8. May the protection of Mary Aparecida be with you and your family.
9. Under the blessing of Mary, may our paths always be light and calm.
10. May the love of Our Lady of Aparecida guide our steps with faith and hope.

Pilgrims walk 170 kilometers from Guarulhos to Aparecida

What is the origin of Mary Aparecida?

Nossa Senhora Aparecida is the name that ended up being used to christen an image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, made of terracotta, 36 centimeters high and 2.5 kilos, which would have been found in October 1717, at three fishermen on the South Paraíba River in São Paulo.

Because the saint was “visible”, the nickname soon came to him. The episode was considered a miracle – and soon other people related to the saint were telling it. So the small church that was first built in 1745 to make a house there began to attract more and more pilgrims, and gradually the place became a city, Aparecida. Today Aparecida is the main point of religious tourism in the country.

And how did the saint end up in the river?

As the journalist Rodrigo Alvarez mentions in the book Aparecida – The Biography of the Saint Who Lost Her Head, Turned Black, Was Robbed, Put by Politicians in Canada and Bought by Brazilsomeone probably threw it away because it was broken — and many believe that a broken image of a saint can bring bad luck.

It is likely that the original color of the saint was not black. We must have left underwater for years the dark image as we know it.

Pilgrims pay homage to Our Lady of Aparecida in a sanctuary dedicated to the saint — Photo: Disclosure/ Severino Silva