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Our Lady of Aparecida: Her Story and My Story

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Our Lady of Aparecida: Her Story and My Story Our Lady of Aparecida: Her Story and My Story Back in 1717, when Brazil was a Portuguese colony, local governors had a great importance in society. When the new governor of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais was traveling by the village of Guaretingueta, the local authorities wanted to offer a banquet to the new dignitary. It happened that at the time, there was barely any fish in the Paraiba River. Nonetheless, the three fishermen were determined to catch some fish. After trying all night long, they cast their nets for the last time. It was then that in pulling their nets they found a small terracotta statue of Our Lady, without its head. Puzzled by the strange catch, they threw their nets again and caught the head of the statue. Filled with amazement at the finding, they threw their nets again. This time, there was such a large catch of fish that they had to go ashore to ask for help to pull the net. One of the fishermen brought the statue to his house and there he built a little chapel. The popular devotion grew very quickly as many graces were granted by the intercession of Our Lady and many miracles happened. In 1745, they built a shrine under the name of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida. From that time on, she is referred to by the nickname of Aparecida (the one who appeared). As the population of Brazil increased, so did the number of Catholics devoted to Our Lady of Aparecida. In 1946, when the shrine could not hold the number of visitors, they began to build what would become the second largest basilica in the world today (second only to St. Peter’s in Rome) and the largest Marian Shrine. The basilica receives 12 million visitors yearly, which is much more than the Eiffel tower or the Louvre Museum in Paris. Personally, I also have a great devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida. I went to the shrine for the first time on 2004 and 2005 as part of a pilgrimage with youth from the Neocatechumenal Way. There I prayed to Our Lady. Although I was afraid of giving up my personal desires, hopes and dreams, I was much encouraged by the words of Saint Pope John Paul II, "do not be afraid of opening wide your doors to Christ, just as Mary did." In Aparecida, I realized it was not a matter of looking at myself, but of accepting the call from God to the priesthood, just as Mary did. Since God called me through the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida, every time I went home during vacations, I went to the Basilica to ask her help during the time of formation at the seminary. This past summer, however, I went there with a different prayer. I prayed in thanksgiving for my priesthood. Actually, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the same chapel that Popes Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis prayed. It is an exclusive chapel located a few inches behind the statute. I would like to invite everyone to take the opportunity to pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida. She is always willing to help us. She only needs us to ask her! May Our Lady of Aparecida inspire in all of us love for her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you. Fr. Steven .
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