In October 1717, as the town of Guaratinguetá in Brazil was preparing a feast for a visiting noble, three local fishermen took to the waters, hoping to catch fish for the banquet. Given it was an unfavorable season for fishing, they beseeched the Immaculate Conception for assistance.

Despite their prolonged efforts, their nets remained empty. Just as they were about to surrender to their fate, an unexpected find transformed their day. With one throw, they retrieved a mud-covered terra cotta statue’s torso. Intrigued, they cast their nets once more, this time discovering the statue’s head. Upon cleaning, they realized they held a representation of the Immaculate Conception. They affectionately named it “Our Lady Aparecida,” translating to “Our Lady who appeared.” Reverently wrapping the statue, they tried their luck at fishing once more and were astounded to haul in an abundance of fish, nearly capsizing their boat.

This statue soon became a symbol of hope and faith for many, as stories of miracles, attributed to the Blessed Mother’s intercession, began to spread. The reverence for Our Lady Aparecida grew, leading to the construction of a small prayer chapel. As devotees multiplied, a larger church was erected on Coqueiros hill, eventually leading to the birth of a village around it.

This church was designated a minor basilica in 1908. Recognizing the ever-increasing influx of pilgrims, a grander basilica was initiated in the 1950s. Today, this stands as the world’s second-largest Catholic place of worship, surpassed only by St. Peter’s Basilica, and remains the foremost Marian shrine. Honoring her significant presence, Our Lady of Aparecida is venerated as Brazil’s patroness, representing the heart and soul of the world’s most populous Catholic nation.

Photo credit: Sidney de Almeida / Shutterstock.com
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38 COMMENTS

  8. Mother Mary has always been there for me,and may she continue 2 intercede for me and my family inspite of my short comings.

  13. Give us strength, light, and inspiration …envuelve a toda la humanidad y el planeta en tu manto azul…segun te vistes rodeada de monta~as azules y con luz azul sobre tu cbeza

  14. My dearest mother: I have two urgent petitions.

    one, please help me see my parents live a happier life. And two, help me to meet a good man to share my life with.

    thank you for interceesing for me. Help me to strenghten my faith.

  15. May our lady guard her flock and lead many to revitalize the church in brazil.

    I have a Mormon friend who did his mission in brazil and told me that he lead many to his faith and that it is the third largest population of Mormons in the world behind the US and mexico, and is growing. Our lady is the best guard and helper against this, may her intercession be strong and obvious to this flock of brethren that we have.

  21. Please take care of my husband during this hard time. Please help us find a resolution so all of this can be over. Please keep us safe. Also I pray for my good friend who lost her son recently give her the strength to endure this. I pray for her family as well. Amen

  22. I would hardly consider Brazil a Catholic nation anymore. With so much “Spiritism,” various “prosperity gospel’ variety sects, Candomblé, Macumba and other neo-pagan religions, Catholics are little more than 30% of the population if even that. We need Mary’s intercession so that Jesus will take back Brazil from the claws of the enemy. Crime, corruption, violence…. The Catholic Church needs more missionaries here for URBAN evangelization. The WYD 2013 helped but … it wasn’t enough.

  23. Dearest Blessed Mother Mary, our Lady of Fatima prayer Group II, Northlake, Illinois – Chapter, I offer and Surrender all of us, to Thy care. Kindly keep us all and wrap us all unto Thy mantle,that we all could all fulfill all our duties and obligations,as God, Thy beloved Son Jesus, planned and designed for all of us, officers, members, and all Hosting families of our prayer group. Please sustain, maintain and preserve our prayer group, to be very fruitfull, multiply and increase us in our prayer group. Bless each and everyone of us, to be worthy children of God. And I thank You Lord, thru Mary, our beloved Mother. Amen !!!

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  28. Dear Mother, I lift up Baby Eliyana for her healing and to be with her wonderful family in good health – Amen.

    I pray for my nieces, nephews and their children. My brothers and sisters and in-laws as well as my daughter, husband and myself. Mama Mary – Pray for us – Amen

  31. Lady Aparecida, a son of yours who belongs to you unreservedly “totus tuus” called by the mysterious plan of Providence to be the Vicar of your Son on earth, wishes to address you at this moment. He recalls with emotion, because of the brown color of this image of yours, another image of yours, the Black Virgin of Jasna Gora. Mother of God and our Mother, protect the Church, the Pope, the bishops, the priests and all the faithful people; welcome under your protecting mantle men and women religious, families, children, young people, and their educations. Health of the sick and Consoler of the afflicted, comfort those who are suffering in body and soul; be the light of those who are seeking Christ, the Redeemer of all; show all people that you are the Mother of our confidence. Queen of Peace and Mirror of Justice, obtain peace for the world, ensure that Brazil and all countries may have lasting peace, that we will always live together as brothers and sisters and as children of God. Our Lady Aparecida, bless all your sons and daughters who pray and sing to you here and elsewhere.
    Amen.

  33. Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony pray for us.
    Our Lady, pray for us. For Brazil and South America.

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