marian anniversaries     april

Second Monday after Easter

Nossa Senhora da Penha, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Perched on a 500' rock across the bay from the state capital, Vitória, the monastery of Our Lady of the Crag got its start in 1558, when Franciscan missionary Pedro Palácios arrived, bringing from Portugal a painting of Nossa Senhora das Alegrias, Our Lady of Joys—the first oil painting in Brazil. In 1569, the statue of Our Lady of the Crag arrived from Lisbon. The shrine is named after a famous one in Fr. Palácios' homeland of Salamanca, the Black Virgin of Peña de Francia. Over the years, the Brazilian sanctuary, too, became a magnet for pilgrims. Its Hall of Miracles displays many ex-votos left in thanks for healings and other blessings. In 1570, Fr. Palácios began the tradition of the Festa da Penha, starting on Easter and culminating eight days later, a celebration that now attracts some 600,000 participants. The Virgin and Child are usually dressed in pink, blue, and white, the flag colors of the state of Espírito Santo, of which she is patron.

Sources include:

"Vila Velha/Penha, - Quem Somos - Franciscanos Quem somos," Província Franciscana da Imaculada Conceição do Brasil - OFM (shrine's website and picture source)
"Nossa Senhora da Penha, Vila Velha," PlanetWare Travel Guide, www.planetware.com

Also celebrated this date:

Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, Goianinha, Natal, Brazil (Our Lady of Joys). Final and biggest day of festa, huge procession.
Madonna di Loreto, Peschici, Foggia, Apulia, Italy. Madonna di Loreto, Peschici, Foggia, Puglia, Italy. Festa features can'strillë, pastries in the shape of baskets with a whole egg baked into them.
Madonna della Pace, Tremestieri Etneo, Catania, Sicily, Italy. Town's patronal festa; procession, solemn pontifical mass.
Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, Cebolais de Cima, Antas, Viseu, Portugal
Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova, Alandroal, Evora, Portugal (Our Lady of Good News)
Virgen del Gozo, Los Santos, Salamanca, Castile and Léon, Spain (Virgin of Joy)
Virgen de la Veguilla, Benavente, Zamora, Castile and Léon, Spain
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, Cuacos de Yuste, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
Nuestra Señora de la Jarrera, Mirabel, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
Nuestra Señora de Argamasa, Riolobos, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Villar del Campo, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. Romería.
Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, Segura de León, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain
Virgen de Arcos, Albalate del Arzobispo, Teruel, Aragon, Spain. Romería.
Virgen de los Remedios, Olvera, Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain. Romería.
 

Where We Walked ~~~ Mary Ann Daly