The Eucharistic Sanctuary of Balasar, in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, will be inaugurated and dedicated on October 11, according to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Braga, Monsignor José Cordeiro, after a visit to the construction site accompanied by his two auxiliary bishops, parish priest Manuel Casado Neiva, and other officials. The chosen date is the closest to the liturgical feast of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, celebrated on October 13.
A sanctuary with a profound Eucharistic message
Monsignor Cordeiro highlighted that the sanctuary represents «the broadest presence of the message that God, through Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, gives to the whole world.» According to the prelate, this space aims to be «the tent of encounter in the Eucharist, in the company of Mary,» and gathers the mystical spirituality of Alexandrina, based on friendship with Christ in daily life, the integration of suffering, hope, and pain, as well as her vocation as an apostle and artisan of peace.
The archbishop emphasized that the dedication of the sanctuary, scheduled for October 11, will be «a very important milestone for the life of our archdiocese and for the life of the Church as a whole, because it is a Eucharistic sanctuary of celebration, faith, adoration, and mission.» He added that «everything here will speak for itself in the symbolism of this sanctuary, and it will be a great message for humanity and for the time we live in.»
Balasar, a reference for spirituality and pilgrimage
For Monsignor Cordeiro, Balasar will consolidate itself as a reference for Christian spirituality, prayer, and divine interpellation in daily life. «Balasar is a question, a great question for the Church and for the world,» he stated, explaining that the answer found through Alexandrina’s message leads to new questions, and those who visit the place experience the surprise of God in the life of this «admirable and Eucharistic woman.»
The Archdiocese of Braga and the sanctuary officials are managing with state authorities the opening of the A7 highway interchange that provides access to Balasar, hoping it will be operational for the inauguration. «Alexandrina is more known outside Portugal than in the country itself,» noted the archbishop, who highlighted that her Eucharistic spirituality and her cooperation with the Salesians are subjects of study in contemporary spirituality.
Architecture and symbolism of the new temple
Father Manuel Casado Neiva, the ideologist of the sanctuary, explained that the main structure is already complete and work is ongoing on finishes, furniture, and decoration, including the stained glass windows by Focolare architect Dina Figueiredo. «This is a space made according to what I studied about Blessed Alexandrina: Eucharist and passion. It is a tent, a tabernacle,» he stated. The large tabernacle will be visible from the entire interior, the roof evokes a «mantle of Our Lady,» and an eleven-meter cross will be visible from a long distance.
The ambo and the altar, two large stones from Fátima, reinforce the connection of Blessed Alexandrina with the Sanctuary of Fátima. «We are building a building so that the message that Jesus left to Alexandrina may be known by all, and it will also be a tourist and cultural reference,» concluded Father Neiva.
Original source: diocese-braga.pt (published March 13, 2026)
