Na volta para casa, passamos pelo santuário de Aparecida. Foi a primeira vez que Luiz e as crianças visitaram a segunda maior basílica do mundo. :)

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On our way back home we had a significant and emotional stop at Aparecida. It was the first time my children and husband ever visited the basilica. I've been there already, twice, when younger. :)

Our Lady of Aparecida (also written as Our Lady Aparecida) is the patron saint of Brazil, represented by a statue of the Virgin Mary located in the Basilica of Aparecida, in Aparecida , in the state of São Paulo. The name means "Our Lady who Appeared". In Portuguese the name is Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida (Our Lady of the Conception who Appeared).

This shrine is the most visited in Brazil and one of the most visited in the Catholic world. The only basilica bigger than Aparecida is Saint Peter's in Rome. As the patron saint of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida is also remembered by a national holiday on 12 October.

Read more about Aparecida's history here:
http://carlafabiana.multiply.com/journal/item/65