October 6
Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil
Unlike many Catholic shrines in Latin America, Cascavel's is of
relatively recent date. The name "Cascavel" means rattlesnake,
and Christians did not begin settling this inland area until 1928. The
parish of Our Lady Who Appeared, founded in 1952, was named for the patron
saint of Brazil, whose statue was fished from the Paraíba River, near the coast, in
1717. In 1966, a new church was begun, designed by Gustavo Gama
Monteiro in the shape of Our Lady's mantle and crown (left). On October 6, 1974,
it was dedicated as the Cathedral of Cascavel and the statue of Our Lady
moved there from the first church. It stands to the right of the altar,
held in a wooden pair of hands carved by sculptor Dirceu Rosa. In 1995, a
monumental version (right), in concrete, was installed in the Cathedral
square, which also features a 23' cross. In the days leading up to Our
Lady's feast on October 12, the Archdiocese of Cascavel sponsors an
annual festival, the Festa das Colônias, which includes secular shows and
food as well as masses and a ceremonial crowning of Nossa Senhora
Aparecida.
Sources:
 | "Catedral Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Cascavel)," Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre, pt.wikipedia.org, information & photo of plaza sculpture |
| "Festa das Colônias Cascavel 2012," Guia Cuca, www.guiacuca.com.br, cathedral photo |
Also commemorated this date:
| Regnum Marianum, Budapest, Hungary (Mary's Realm). New church dedicated, 1996. |
| Madonna della Consolazione, Massalombarda, Ravenna, Emilia Romagna, Italy. Ceramic relief crowned, 1954. |
| Slovinka Mother of God, Makaryev, Kostroma, Russia (Sept. 23 old calendar) |
| Holy Theotokos of Iveron, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Icon first found to be streaming myrrh, 2007. The Hawaiian icon, recognized as miraculous by the Orthodox Church, is a copy of the Montreal myrrh-streaming icon (Nov. 24), itself a copy of the ancient All-Holy Doorkeeper Icon at Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos in Greece (Easter Monday & Aug. 15/28). |