Brazil Catholic pilgrimage season 2026

In late July 2026, two major Catholic pilgrimages took place in Brazil. In Itapevi, São Paulo, a traditional mass marked the start of the town’s 60th Romaria to Pirapora do Bom Jesus, with pilgrims receiving blessings, holy‑water and a communal breakfast before departing on 25 July. Simultaneously, the 27th Caravana Ilton Pacheco passed through São José do Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, beginning a 100‑km foot trek that attracted hundreds of faithful.

The following month, pilgrimages expanded to the northeast and central regions. From 2 to 15 August, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Help in Arraial d’Ajuda, Porto Seguro, celebrated its 475th anniversary with masses, processions and devotional events that drew thousands of pilgrims from across Bahia and beyond, providing a notable boost to the local economy. In Goiás, a 24‑hour support centre opened on the GO‑237 highway in Niquelândia to serve the Romaria of Our Lady of Abadia de Muquém, expecting around 30 000 participants and offering water, snacks, medical aid, showers, Wi‑Fi and a chapel.

Together, these events illustrate a season of heightened religious tourism across multiple Brazilian states, combining traditional rites with expanded logistical support for large numbers of pilgrims.