Aparecida do Norte

May 25

Lots of people travel to the basilica.
Many carpool via car, bus, or van.

Trip to the big Basilica

The day after my Birthday, I traveled with my friend Juliana and her family to Aparecida, São Paulo. I was looking forward to visiting the basilica, the main attraction of the city. Popes, including Jonh Paul II and most recently Pope Francis have visited the church previously. We left Itajubá early in the morning in order to arrive there before the crowds, and to make the most of our day trip. The city sat in a cloud during the morning, but the fog lifted later in the afternoon. 

The Basilica in Aparecida.

The church complex was massive! I have seen several different types of cathedrals, basilicas, and churches during prior trips, but this one had to be one of the biggest. After arriving, we walked through a part of the basilica that held a small figurine of Mary- a replica of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida), for which the church was constructed. 

The story goes that some fisherman were out one day fishing in a local river when they caught the bottom-half of a small sculpture in their nets. Soon thereafter, they brought in the upper-part (head) to the sculpture and realized it was a small statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Replica of the original Aparecida in the basilica.

Before discovering the figurine, the fisherman were having difficulty catching fish. However after their discovery, their nets filled with fish. This marked the first miracle attributed to Our Lady of Aparecida. Aparecer in Portuguese means "to appear." Thus, the statue of Mary was named "Aparecida" because it appeared to the fisherman in the river. Both the basilica and city are named after the saint.

As you know, or may not know, Brazil is the largest catholic country. Our Lady of Aparecida is the Patroness of Brazil. Thousands upon thousands make the trip to Aparecida, as visitors or pilgrims, in order to show their respects, make an offering, pray, or just visit the basilica. Throughout the Catholic faith, there are a number of instances where Mary has appeared in different countries and miracles have been attributed to her. Our Lady of Gaudalupe is one of the most famous and well known Mary apparitions, who is particularly important in Mexico (where the sighting occurred).

Sala das velas (the candle room). People light a candle in
remembrance of a loved one or to make a special prayer.

"Room of Promises"- here are located many different items people bring that represent an answered prayer that is attributed to Our Lady Aparecida. The ceiling was covered with photos of different people who credit Mary for their health, recovery, success, etc.

Around the city were hundreds of shops and stands selling a myriad of items: religious tokens, electronics, t-shirts, magnets, necklaces, bracelets, figurines, and whatever other kind of souvenir you can think of. We walked by a lot! 

"Felicidades" (Congratulations). "F" was rubbed off in transit.
There were a lot of curves in the road.

After Mass in the basilica and some shopping, our group returned to the cars to have a snack. Unbeknownst to me, Juliana had purchased a birthday cake and brought it along on the trip so that her family could celebrate my Birthday with me. It was a surprise and a very thoughtful (delicious) gift. Her family sang the Happy Birthday song to me first in Portuguese and then after in English. 

That afternoon, we walked across the bridge that connects the basilica to another part of the city where the prior, older church is located. 

A Igreja Antigua

The Old Church is undergoing restorations in order to preserve it. What is so special about the original church in Aparecida, is that it holds the original sculpture of Mary, Nossa Senhora Aparecida- from the miracle story. People wait in line in order to pass by the statue up-close, perhaps to say a prayer or just marvel at the sacred sculpture. I observed many that walked by actually touching the base of it's container in reverance. I was able to walk by as well, and was struck by how beautiful and ornate the figurine is.

Like other religious journeys and trips to significant sites around the world, people make pilgrimages to Aparecida. My friends told me of how some walk, ride a bicycle, or take a horse to the city. Bruno, Juliana's boyfriend and our driver for the day, had actually rode his bike to and from Aparecida a few times before. The trip by car was about  11/2-2 hours, so I was impressed. Another religious custom I saw, was that some people walk on their knees to the Basilica. Not all the way from their homes, but once they arrive in the city. For example, I saw a woman with knee pads crossing the bridge that connects the basilica to the older church. Not everyone uses pads. I believe people perform these actions as a type of sacrifice, or a type of "prayer-deal." For example, if someone prays and prays and their prayer is answered, they might come and perform this act as a way of showing thanks. It could work the other way as well, as in someone making this type of physical sacrifice in faith that their action will result in a good outcome to their prayer. I have heard of similar traditions before, when I was in Costa Rica.

I myself am Catholic and have grown up in the Catholic church. I have attended Baptist, Methodist, and even non-demonitional church services before, and so have an idea of how other Christian denominations function. Here is the most important fact: we are all Christians who serve, believe, and worship the same God. Catholic churches are more traditional and structured, as they follow customs that have been practiced for centuries. One very cool thing I have been able to experience through my travels, is that the Catholic church is universal. It is comforting to know that where ever I go, I will be able to find a Catholic church. I have been able to attend Mass in Austria, Hungary, Germany, Spain, Costa Rica, and now Brazil! It is very cool to be able to go and celebrate the Lord with different people, in another language. The structure of the Mass remains the same in these places, but each contain their own unique traditions and practices. Here in Brazil for example, I have seen a few customs that are different from the church I attend back home. It is a neat experience to partake in them and see another part of the culture.

A humorous sign posted above trash cans that reads
"It is a sin to dirty mom's house."

One of the biggest misconceptions about Catholics involves our relationship to Mary. We do hold her up in high respect because she is the mother of Jesus, which merits respect and admiration, but we do not worship her. Mary accepted Jesus, and this is the ultimate example of how we should strive to be, to say "Yes" to Jesus. Catholics do pray to Mary and believe her to be an intercessor on our behalf, especially through the "Hail Mary" prayer. Here in Brazil, I have seen how people of other denominations or faiths might think that we worship Mary. The church I attend here has a big statue of Mary behind the altar, the first of its type that I have seen. Usually, or at least in my experiences, there is a statue of Jesus or a crucifixion located behind the altar. Mary is a very important person in the history and founding of the Christian faith and Catholics acknowledge this. Here are a number of prayers that practitioners learn growing up and are commonly recited prayers: Some Catholic Prayers.

I know this differs from some Protestants' beliefs in that one can speak directly to God alone and that there is no need to pray to any other. In fact some may think that to pray to another is the same as worshipping or placing that being on the same pedestal with Jesus. However for me, that is not the case. I am still exploring and learning about the Catholic faith, as there is so much to learn! I am very thankful for my Christian friends, that have encouraged me to get in to the Word (Bible) and learn more about my faith. I plan to continue this investigation and in the future, be able to confidently defend my faith and answer questions people may have.