The image of Christ the Redeemer turned 90 years old on October 12.
Newsroom (October 13, 2021, 10:20 PM, Gaudium Press) The Eucharistic Celebration planned for October 12 at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue, at Corcovado hill, had to be transferred to the Metropolitan Cathedral, in downtown Rio, due to bad weather.
The cardinal archbishop of Rio, Archbishop Orani Tempesta, presided over the celebration, and in his homily, remembering the clouds that covered the statue in the morning, he said: “…from the dark clouds that we had last year and that are certainly already diminishing this year, we want to see also the presence of the Lord in our lives; of hope and confidence in tomorrow.”
“The Christ, besides being a monument of Brazil, is also a sign of a country that welcomes its people. He represents all that he taught us, fraternity and respect for others, to do good to others,” declared the archbishop.
The rector of the Cristo Redentor Sanctuary, Father Omar Raposo, emphasized: “These arms communicate welcome and identify even more the heart of the Brazilian people, which is a welcoming heart, that also has strong arms for work, full of energy so that we can develop this beloved nation”.
After the mass, the authorities present went in procession to the patio of the Metropolitan Cathedral, where a big party was held.
The image of Christ the Redeemer was built to be a religious monument on the centennial of Brazil’s Independence (1822).
Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa dedicated ten years to the project; Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald made the final design of the statue, executed by Frenchman Paul Landowski.
The monument was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. In 1973 it was declared a historical monument and in 2007 one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
Compiled by Sarah Gangl
