October 12 is the day of Our Lady of Aparecida
October 12 is the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. The origin of Our Lady of Aparecida dates back to 1717, when three fishermen — Domingos Garcia, João Alves and Felipe Pedroso — found a clay image of the Virgin Mary in the Paraíba do Sul River, in Aparecida, São Paulo. The image was missing its head, which was later found. After the discovery, the fishermen were successful in catching the image, which was interpreted as a miracle, making the image an object of devotion. Over time, the saint's fame grew, attracting pilgrims seeking blessings. In 1734, the first chapel was built to house the image, and in 1930, Our Lady of Aparecida was proclaimed patron saint of Brazil by Pope Pius XI. Her devotion is an important part of Brazilian Catholic culture, being widely venerated throughout the country.
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