Terra de Santa Cruz documentary explores Brazilian history and faith

The documentary ‘Terra de Santa Cruz’ was officially launched at Kinoplex São Luiz in Rio de Janeiro. Produced by the Movimento Brasil com Fé in partnership with the Instituto Redemptor and the Santuário Cristo Redentor, the film explores Brazilian history through the symbolic return of the Cross from the First Mass.

The project follows a 15-day pilgrimage in 2025 where a relic traveled through more than 20 cities across Portugal and Brazil. The documentary aims to connect faith, memory, and culture while highlighting the encounter with indigenous peoples who inhabited the territory during that historical period.

Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, attended the launch. Padre Omar Raposo, rector of the Santuário Cristo Redentor, noted that the project offers an opportunity to revisit Brazilian history by examining the intersection of Christian tradition and the original inhabitants of the land.