Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida: Oct. 10

The Brazilian Community at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa invites you to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida on Saturday, October 10!

The celebration will begin with a procession around the church campus at 6:30 p.m., starting at the Our Lady of Aparecida Shrine. Following the procession, a Feast Day Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Church. After Mass, all are invited to join us for a festive dinner in the Family Center as we continue this special celebration of faith, fellowship, and devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida. We welcome everyone to participate in this joyful occasion.

Our Lady of Aparecida is the patroness of Brazil and one of the most beloved Marian titles in the Catholic Church. Her story began in 1717 when three fishermen, after struggling to catch fish in the Paraíba River, discovered a small image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After finding the statue, their nets were filled with fish, and the event was regarded as miraculous. Devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida quickly spread throughout Brazil, leading to the construction of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Catholics honor her as a powerful intercessor and a symbol of faith, hope, and unity. Each year on October 12, millions of faithful celebrate her feast day through Masses, processions, prayers, and acts of charity, seeking her maternal guidance and protection.