Today, My children, another anniversary is completed of when the Celestial Father decided to reveal, to some humble fishermen, the face of Our Lady Aparecida; a face that protects and safeguards Brazil as a country, but also a face which arrived, at that time, into the hands of the fishermen, to destroy, once and for all, the slavery and subjection of the black and African people.”
Throughout history, the Divine Mother has manifested Herself throughout the world through different Faces, who carry the spiritual attributes that each people most needs.
October 12 is the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness and protector of Brazil. On this date, a national holiday since 1980, millions of Brazilians express their love and devotion to the Black Virgin.
But how did devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida emerge?
In 1717, three fishermen found a black image of Our Lady of Conception, made of terracotta, while casting their fishing net in the Paraíba do Sul River, in the interior of São Paulo. The icon, which was 36 centimeters tall and 2.5 kilos, appeared in two pieces: first the body and then the head. Hence the name "aparecida". From then on, several miracles were associated with this image.
The Mother of the Black People
Researchers believe that the image acquired its black colour by being submerged in water for many years. Regardless of the physical processes involved in the miraculous event, the fact is that the black people, who make up more than half the population of Brazil, came to be represented by Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
This is confirmed by the Virgin Mary Herself, in Her Message of 12 October 2016, transmitted to the visionary Friar Elías del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús:
I am the Black Virgin, I am the Mother and Queen of the ancient slaves. I am the one who is in Brazil to protect it from domination and from the chaos of these times.
… Here, in these lands, I have appeared to give testimony about freedom and shelter the entire black race, the original race of this humanity, which was decimated by the white race.
I have come to Brazil as the Black Virgin to be able to unite the peoples and nations through culture, language and divine spirituality.
The Virgin of Aparecida comes to heal the past and close the doors to the slavery that took place between Africa and the Americas.
The Protector of the humble and unjust
The circumstances of the emergence of Our Lady of Aparecida, revealed to the world by the hands of three simple men, also led Her to be considered the protector of the most humble and sacrificed. And, indeed, in the message already cited, the Most Holy Mary announced Herself as the Advocate and Intercessor of all the exploited and unjust Brazilians.
Today I come to save those who are marginalized and exploited in this time; this is why I am the Black Virgin of Brazil.
I have appeared in these lands to introduce to My children the spirit of equality and justice. I come to sever the chains of mistakes that are experienced by this people, and I come to guide consciousnesses toward the Grace and Mercy of God.
… I am the Comforter of human suffering.
I am the Universal Judge of all the peoples.
I am the Advocate of Brazil.
The Guardian of Nature in Brazil
Like Our Lady of Aparecida, the Celestial Mother also said She had the task of caring for the nature of Brazil and for the peoples who are the original guardians of this natural life.
I am the Guardian of the natural beauty of Brazil, therefore, I implore all My children to protect this precious Eden that is Brazil.
I ask you to no longer pursue the innocent, I ask you to protect peace in the Eden of Brazil.
The Virgin Mary, October 12, 2016
By referring to Brazil as "Eden", Our Lady shows to the Brazilians how privileged they are to live in a land abundant in beauty, diversity and natural resources. In this way, She encourages them to value the gifts they have before it is too late. In addition, it indicates that these lands, like other regions of the planet, have a purpose within the plans of God for these times.
A special date for the world
The Blessed Virgin, in Her Message of October 12, 2019, stated that the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida is important for Brazil and the world. The main reason for this is that on this occasion we can remember that Her Immaculate Heart offers us a path for liberation from all spiritual and material bondage.
Therefore, may the divine symbol of the Lady of Aparecida be honoured in many temples and homes, impelling souls towards unity, fraternity and redemption!