Our Lady of the Crag
VilaVelha, Brazil (1569)
Perched on a giant rock across the bay from the state capital, Vitoria, the monastery of Our Lady of the Crag got its start in 1558, when Franciscan missionary Pedro Palacios arrived, bringing from Portugal a painting of Nossa Senhora des Alegrias, Our Lady of Joys - the first oil painting in Brazil.
In1569 the statue of Our Lady of the Crag arrived from Lisbon.
The shrine is named after a famous Black Virgin of Pena de Francia from Salamanca.
Over the years, the Brazilian sanctuary too, became amagnet for pilgrims. Its hall of Miracles displays many exv otos left in thanks.
In 1570, the Festa da Penha began starting on and culminating eight days later, a celebration that now attracts some 600.000 participants.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
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