Our Lady of Aparecida, Queen of workers and patron saint of Brazil

The 36 cm-tall statue of Our Lady of the Conception was found in 1717, in the nets of fishermen Felipe Pedroso, João Alves and Domingos Garcia, who were fishing in the Paraíba River, very close to the city of Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The men first discovered the body of the statue and, moments later were able to retrieve its head, a little deeper in the river. They paid homage to her by calling her "Nossa Senhora Aparecida", because she had appeared in their net while they were fishing.

The first miracles began to occur immediately after the discovery of the statue, as soon as people gathered to sing the rosary and pray the litanies. Upon invoking the Virgin Mary, many received special graces. Pilgrimages began, bringing pilgrims from near and far.

In July 1930, by decree of Pope Pius XI, Our Lady of Aparecida was proclaimed Queen and Patroness of Brazil, a title officially recognized by the Brazilian government, in a ceremony attended by over one million people.

Currently, the shrine receives eight million visitors a year. On October 12, the feast of Our Lady Aparecida, attendance is considerable. And on September 7, the national feast day, the annual Workers' Pilgrimage is held.

Archbishop Damasceno of Aparecida (Brazil)

Interview published in the magazine Ave Maria in 2005