Good Friday

These pictures were taken from our balcony. They are photos of the migration. These people travel on foot to the city Aparecida. The trek is about 40 minutes by automobile. The large parades of people are followed by an ambulance in case of emergencies. Rain or shine their commitment is incredible as they march forward to pay homage to the idol.

Our Lady of Aparecida (also written as Our Lady Aparecida) is the patron saint of Brazil, represented by a statue of the Virgin Mary located in the Basilica of Aparecida, in the city of Aparecida in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. In Portuguese the name is Nossa Senhora de Conceição Aparecida (Our Lady of the Conception who Appeared).


This shrine is the most visited in Brazil and one of the most visited in the Catholic world. As the patron saint of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida is also remembered by a national holiday on 12 October.

Aparecida is considered the most important religious city in Brazil; the Basilica of Aparecida, the National Sanctuary, is the second largest Basilica in the world.

The Pope will visit Brazil in May 2007, and will celebrate a mass in Aparecida; this will be a major event for the Catholic community.