More than 400 thousand devotees participated in the celebrations of the Cirio of Nazareth 2021.
Newsroom (October 12, 2021 10:00 AM, Gaudium Press) Last Sunday, October 10, the main celebration of the Cirio of Nazareth took place in Belém (PA). Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the program had to be adapted and the traditional procession was cancelled. Nevertheless, according to the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense of Pará, at least 400 thousand devotees came to the place to celebrate the Queen of the Amazon.
Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Belém
The Auxiliary Bishop of Belém, Dom Antônio de Assis Ribeiro, presided over the Holy Mass in the Cathedral, which was concelebrated by the Archbishop of Belém, Dom Alberto Taveira. In his homily, Dom Taveira thanked the devotees for their demonstrations of faith, emphasizing that the Cirio belongs to the people, is made by the people, and is part of the roots of the life of the people of Pará.
Flying over the image of Our Lady of Nazaré
After the celebration, Bishop Taveira carried the image of Our Lady of Nazareth to the faithful outside the Cathedral. Then, it was taken by car to the pier of the “Casa das Onze Janelas” to go on a helicopter trip. Father Francisco Cavalcante, a Barnabite priest and pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Nazareth, flew the image over the Cathedral and the Basilica of Nazareth, following the traditional route of the Cirio.
Mass celebrated in the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazaré
The image arrived at the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazaré at noon, being carried in the carriage to the Shrine of Nazaré Square by the rector of the Basilica, Father Francisco Maria Cavalcante, members of the board of directors of the Feast of Nazaré and the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho. Soon after, the Auxiliary Bishop of Belém, Dom Antônio de Assis Ribeiro, presided over the solemn closing Mass of the Cirio of Nazareth. (EPC)
Photos: Ícaro Farias, Karol Coelho and Jacques Menezes – Ascom Basilica of Nazaré.
Compiled by Zephania Gangl