Rio de Janeiro to celebrate 95 years of Nossa Senhora Aparecida as Brazil's patroness

Rio de Janeiro marks 95 years since Our Lady Aparecida was proclaimed the patroness of Brazil. The solemn proclamation took place on May 31, 1931, in Rio de Janeiro, which served as the federal capital at the time.

Cardinal Sebastião Leme, the archbishop of Rio de Janeiro at the time, presided over the ceremony that gathered approximately one million people. The event followed a decree signed on July 16, 1930, which was issued after the Brazilian episcopate requested the recognition through Cardinal Leme.

During the 1931 celebration, the original image was moved from the National Sanctuary of Aparecida to Rio de Janeiro for the first time. The flags of Brazil and the Vatican were added to the image's mantle to represent the Church's recognition of the patroness and her mission to the Brazilian people. Cardinal Orani Tempesta noted the historical and religious importance of this event for the unity of the country.