Bishop celebrates 300th anniversary of Our Lady of Aparecida

 

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2017

 

ARLINGTON, Va.  – Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, will celebrate a Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church in honor of the 300th anniversary of Our Lady of Aparecida.

Our Lady of Aparecida is the Patroness of Brazil. 

The First Miracle

In mid-October in the year 1717, three fishermen prayed asking the intercession of the Blessed Mother for fish. After several attempts and just as they were about to give up, one of the fishermen threw his nets another time and, in place of fish, picked up the body of a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, but without the head. Once again casting the net, the fishermen caught the head, which fit perfectly with the body of the statue.

After both parts were recovered, the image of the Virgin of Aparecida became so heavy that the fishermen could not move it. The fishermen then caught so many fish that they were forced to return to the port because their boats almost sank. This was the first miracle attributed to Our Lady of Aparecida. 

The title of “Aparecida” is derived from the verb “appear” since it was in a moment of great need that the fishermen found her. The stature is currently held in the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Aparecida, São Paulo, Brazil.

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Details

 

When:           Thursday, October 12

                        7 p.m.

 

Where:         Saint Anthony of Padua Church

                      3305 Glen Carlyn Road

                      Falls Church

 

The Mass will be in English, and is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Ministries and the Brazilian Catholic community of the Diocese of Arlington.