Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aparecida (Agenzia Fides) – The Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida de Bauru today celebrates its feast with five Masses, a parade, and a procession, in honor of Our Lady, who is the patron saint of Brazil. October 12 marks the national holiday of Our Lady of Aparecida, recalled throughout the country. It is also "Children's Day" in Brazil. The festival this year has something new: in addition to thousands of faithful who will attend a Mass celebrated at the Shrine, there will be perhaps millions attending the celebrations via the Internet thanks to a blog that the Redemptorist missionaries have designed, to follow all activities that take place every day.
Thus, through the Internet, you can follow the presentation of the "Rede Aparecida" (the network that transmits via radio and TV all that happens in the Shrine on holidays), with a complete schedule for each day, reflections and commentaries on the word of God chosen for the novena, a procession with the image of Our Lady of Aparecida, her enthronement, the arrival of the pilgrims, the prayers of families, the choreography of dance groups with traditional dress, and so on. Through Twitter and Facebook, there is also the possibility of entering into contact with others on the social networks.
In a statement sent to Fides, it says that on the feast of the patron saint of Brazil, the Shrine, under the leadership of the Redemptorists Missionaries, offers the possibility of making a Christian commitment to the weak, the poor, the elderly, and children. The social projects at the Shrine include the "Casa do Pequeno" (to work with children), the "Projeto Aprendiz" (preparing young people for work), "Lar Nossa Senhora Aparecida" (welcome, support, and pastoral care of the elderly) and "Participando da vida comunidade" (groups of adults who organize activities with other institutions of charity or solidarity). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2010)
