World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Volunteers support pilgrims walking to Aparecida shrine
Two women volunteered at a roadside support point on the Presidente Dutra highway in São Paulo state, where pilgrims walk toward the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida.
They say their faith and gratitude after serious health problems led them to help the walkers.
Viviane Aparecida Moreno Katsuda started handing out water in 2017, when her daughter had a heart problem.
Her effort has grown into a group of 36 volunteers who offer food, drinks, rest and basic care.
Andréia Lourenço, who says she is in remission from breast cancer, joined the group last year and plans to use her physiotherapy training to help pilgrims.
The highway route is expected to draw more than 40,000 people on foot, while Aparecida is expected to receive about 660 military police officers from Saturday through Monday.
Police forces are also expected to use helicopters, and pilgrims will continue toward the shrine for the October 12 feast day.
Volunteers offered food, water and other support to pilgrims walking along the Presidente Dutra highway toward the Aparecida shrine.
The support point was started by Viviane Aparecida Moreno Katsuda in 2017 after her daughter developed a heart problem.
The initiative now includes 36 volunteers from Mogi das Cruzes and is supported by donations.
Among the volunteers is Andréia Lourenço, who joined after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and says she is now in remission.
The highway support point also provides rest, foot care, massage, prayers and a place to leave prayer intentions.
- Who
- Volunteers, including Viviane Aparecida Moreno Katsuda and Andréia Lourenço, supported pilgrims.
- What
- They offered food, water, rest and other assistance to people walking to the Aparecida shrine.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, ahead of the shrine’s feast day on Monday, October 12.
- Where
- Along the Presidente Dutra highway in São Paulo, on the route to Aparecida.
- Why
- The volunteers said their work was an expression of gratitude and faith in Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Our Lady was the one who cured my daughter
I thought I would not see my daughter go to college
This year I came back to life, by the grace of Our Lady, my family and the doctors. I am in remission
I can only give thanks. Tomorrow I have to be there
Viviane and her husband began handing out water to pilgrims after their daughter developed a heart problem.
Andréia Lourenço joined Viviane’s volunteer support group.
Volunteers supported pilgrims walking along the Presidente Dutra highway toward Aparecida.
Andréia planned to meet her husband at the shrine on the feast day of Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
- Volunteer group
- 36 volunteers from Mogi das Cruzes
- Initiative began
- 2017
- Support location
- Presidente Dutra highway, São Paulo
- Pilgrims expected on foot
- More than 40,000, according to estimates from RioSP and the federal highway police
- Police deployment
- About 660 military police officers expected in Aparecida from October 10 to 12
Sources
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