Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida

The Story

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, in the city of Aparecida between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is the patronal shrine of Brazil and one of the largest Marian churches in the world. At its heart is a small, dark terracotta image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, affectionately called Nossa Senhora Aparecida, 'Our Lady who appeared.' According to the traditional account, in October 1717 three fishermen casting their nets in the Paraiba do Sul river drew up first the body and then the head of the statue, after which their catch became unexpectedly abundant. Devotion to the image spread rapidly among the local people, a first chapel was built in the eighteenth century, and favors and healings attributed to Our Lady's intercession were soon being reported by the faithful. The image was solemnly crowned in 1904, and in 1930 Pope Pius XI proclaimed Our Lady of Aparecida the principal patroness of Brazil. Construction of the present basilica began in 1955, and Pope St. John Paul II consecrated it in 1980. Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2007, opening the Latin American bishops' conference at Aparecida, and Pope Francis prayed at the shrine in 2013. Today the National Shrine, in the care of the Redemptorist missionaries, receives millions of pilgrims each year, with celebrations reaching their height on the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, October 12, a national holiday in Brazil.

Church Recognition

Our Lady of Aparecida was proclaimed principal patroness of Brazil by Pope Pius XI in 1930, and the national shrine was consecrated by Pope St. John Paul II in 1980; the devotion is fully approved and fostered by the Church in Brazil.

Catholic Teaching

Devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida expresses the Church's teaching on Mary's motherly intercession and her role in leading hearts to Christ (CCC 969, 971); the image itself is honored not for its own sake but for the Mother of God it represents (CCC 2132).

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Practical

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One of the most visited Marian sanctuaries on earth.

Go Deeper

Visit the official portal of the National Shrine of Aparecida at https://www.a12.com, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church on devotion to the Blessed Virgin (CCC 971), and read the 2007 Aparecida document of the Latin American bishops, opened at the shrine by Pope Benedict XVI.