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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Brazil series at PortuguesePod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind holidays and observances in Brazil. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 5. Our Lady Aparecida or in Portuguese Nossa Senhora Aparecida
Do you know who is the “patron saint” or santa padroeira in Portuguese?
Her name is Our Lady of Aparecida, better known as Our Lady Aparecida, and October 12 is the national holiday to commemorate her.
In this lesson, we'll find out why her name is important, and much more.
Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you-
What are the most common and traditional names in Brazil?
If you don't know already, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening!
Our Lady’s image was discovered at the Paraiba River. Three “fishermen,” or pescadores in Portuguese, were trying to catch fish for a very important dinner. After many attempts in vain, they caught with their net the image of the saint without a head. In the next attempt, they fished out her missing head. And after that, fish came in abundance. This was the first “miracle” of the saint. “Miracle” in Portuguese is milagre.
Because of it, the saint was called Our Lady Aparecida, because she appeared to the fishermen. And from then on, many miracles were attributed to her.
The holy image remained in Guaratingueta, with one of the fishermen. But with the increasing number of devotees, they had to build an oratory, then a chapel, a church, and finally a basilica.
In 1928, the village around the church became the city of Aparecida, and in 1930, Pope Pius XI proclaimed Our Lady Aparecida as the “Queen of Brazil,” or in Portuguese Rainha do Brasil, and its patron.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II consecrated the Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida as the biggest Marian shrine in the world.
During the day of Our Lady, over 150 thousand faithful devotees visit the holy place to thank her for her blessings, and “pay promises,” or pagar promessas in Portuguese.
Some believers are organized into groups to go to the basilica, and make pilgrimages. There are groups that go on foot or horseback and travel long distances to the city of Aparecida, where the basilica is located.
And, of course, “Catholic churches,” or in Portuguese igrejas católicas, perform various masses in honor of the patron saint of Brazil.
The image of Our Lady has suffered some damage, such as in 1978, when a young man dropped the image. The pieces were collected and the image was restored after two months of work. Currently, the image is protected by a bullet proof dome.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question.
What are the most common and traditional names in Brazil?
Most Brazilians are Catholics.
In “homage” – or homenagem in Portuguese – to the patron saint, many women are named Maria Aparecida or Aparecida, and their nicknames can be Cida or Cidinha.
How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting?
In your country, do you have a patron saint or something similar?
Leave your comments on the lesson page at PortuguesePod101.com
And we'll see you in the next lesson!

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