Our Lady Aparecida (Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida)

In October 1717, three fishermen, Domingos Garcia, João Alves and Filipe Pedroso, were casting their nets in the Paraíba River, near Guaratinguetá, in what is now the state of São Paulo, to provide fish for an important visitor. After catching nothing, João Alves pulled up the body of a small terracotta image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, about 40 cm tall, and then its head. After that, their nets filled with so many fish they could barely carry them. The image, darkened by its time in the water, came to be called "Aparecida", "the one who appeared".

Devotion grew from a humble family oratory to a chapel and then a great church. In 1904 the image was crowned by order of Saint Pius X, and in 1930 Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady Aparecida Patroness of Brazil. Saint John Paul II consecrated her National Basilica in 1980, one of the largest Marian shrines in the world. In Brazil, October 12 is a Solemnity and a national holiday.

Millions of pilgrims visit the National Shrine of Aparecida every year, many walking for days along the roads of the Paraíba Valley. They leave photos, wax body parts and letters in the "Room of Promises" as thanks for favors received. Princess Isabel gave the gold crown and blue mantle that the image still wears.

On October 12, Brazilian families everywhere, including the large Brazilian community in Florida, go to Mass, pray the Rosary and sing to "the Queen and Mother of Brazil". Many Brazilians wear a small medal of Aparecida, with her blue mantle, as a sign of trust.