# Religious festivities and holiday logistics in Brazil > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/feast-of-our-lady-of-aparecida-preparations-in-brazil > Updated: 2026-10-11T11:05:00.000Z. Sources: 70. Developments: 9. Preparations for the Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil, have transitioned into active celebrations and logistical planning for the national holiday on Monday, October 12, 2026. At the National Sanctuary of Aparecida in São Paulo, the Novena and Feast of the Patroness runs through October 11. Following the theme ‘With Mary, in community, to know and practice the Word’, the schedule includes afternoon novenas led by Redemptorist Missionaries and evening solemn novenas featuring guest bishops. This marks the first Novena presided over by Archbishop Dom Mário Antonio da Silva. Activities include a cycling tour, a motorcade, a Memory Procession, and the Patroness Festival. TV Aparecida has announced special programming, including live coverage of these events. Regional celebrations continue to expand. In Araruama, the Matriz de São Sebastião Church and local government are organizing a traditional six-kilometer horseback procession, or ‘Cavalgada’, connecting the city center to the Exhibition Park. In Curitiba, a pilgrim image of the saint remains at the Santuário Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro until October 12. In Guarulhos, local churches have organized extensive schedules of masses and novenas, while the municipality provides health assistance to pilgrims traveling toward the National Sanctuary. As the feast approaches, the Tourism Economy Intelligence Center (CIET) projects approximately R$ 3.59 billion in tourism revenue for the state of São Paulo. On the day of the feast, the National Sanctuary expects to host hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, with a religious program featuring seven masses, a solemn consecration, and a procession accompanied by a pyrotechnic show. In Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, an estimated 50,000 people are expected to participate in a pilgrimage, necessitating special traffic operations on the BR-163 highway by the Federal Highway Police and local authorities. ## Claims - Pope Leo XIV invoked the protection of Our Lady Aparecida for Brazilians during a General Audience. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Pope's greeting to Brazilians occurred five days before the celebration of Our Lady Aparecida on October 12. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The holiday is expected to generate approximately R$ 3.59 billion in tourism for the state of São Paulo. (single source) - The sanctuary has prepared masses, consecrations, and processions for the holiday. (single source) - The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aparecida takes precedence over Sundays in Ordinary Time. (single source) - Workers in essential services may be required to work, entitling them to double pay or compensatory time off. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: Brazil celebrates feast of patron saint Nossa Senhora Aparecida Brazil celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Nossa Senhora Aparecida, with massive religious pilgrimages and expected tourism revenue of R$ 3.59 billion in São Paulo. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-celebrates-feast-of-nossa-senhora-aparecida ### 2026-10-07: Pope Leo XIV asks Our Lady of Aparecida to protect Brazil Pope Leo XIV invoked the protection of Our Lady of Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil, during a Vatican audience, addressing Brazilian pilgrims ahead of the saint's feast day on October 12. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-leo-xiv-invokes-protection-of-our-lady-aparecida-for-brazilians ### 2026-10-05: Brazil highway authorities prepare for major holiday traffic surge Brazilian authorities are preparing for heavy holiday traffic, with 16.7 million vehicles expected on São Paulo state highways and increased security operations for pilgrims in Aparecida. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/der-sp-mobilizes-resources-for-167-million-vehicles-during-holiday ### 2026-10-04: Brazil prepares for Nossa Senhora Aparecida national holiday Brazil observes the national holiday of Nossa Senhora Aparecida on October 12, 2026, marked by religious festivities, pilgrimages, and specific labor regulations for workers and retail sectors. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/religious-celebrations-honor-nossa-senhora-aparecida-in-brazil ### 2026-10-02: National Sanctuary of Aparecida begins Novena of the Patroness The National Sanctuary of Aparecida begins the Novena and Feast of the Patroness of Brazil, featuring religious services and community events from October 3 to 11. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-sanctuary-of-aparecida-begins-novena-of-the-patroness ### 2026-09-30: Nossa Senhora Aparecida festivities and holidays mark October in Brazil Brazil celebrates the feast of patron saint Nossa Senhora Aparecida in October 2026, featuring nationwide religious festivities, pilgrimages, and a long holiday weekend. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nossa-senhora-aparecida-celebrations-scheduled-for-october-2026 ### 2026-09-28: Nossa Senhora Aparecida celebrations held in Londrina and Itaipulândia Devotees gather in Londrina and Itaipulândia for religious celebrations honoring Brazil's patron saint, Nossa Senhora Aparecida, featuring processions, masses, and large-scale pilgrimages. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nossa-senhora-aparecida-celebrations-held-in-londrina-and-itaipulndia ### 2026-09-19: Religious festivities for Nossa Senhora Aparecida announced in Brazil Religious communities in Itabuna and Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, are hosting novenas and festivals to honor Nossa Senhora Aparecida throughout early October. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/religious-festivities-for-nossa-senhora-aparecida-announced-in-brazil ### 2026-08-23: Vale do Paraíba religious production triples for upcoming feast Religious item production in Brazil's Vale do Paraíba has tripled to meet high demand for the upcoming Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vale-do-paraba-religious-production-triples-for-upcoming-feast --- Cite as: Religious festivities and holiday logistics in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/feast-of-our-lady-of-aparecida-preparations-in-brazil