The city of São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão, will host this Sunday, October 12, the first Luminous Procession in honor of Our Lady of Fátima. The gathering, organized by the local Catholic community, seeks to commemorate the well-known “Miracle of the Sun,” which occurred on October 13, 1917, in Fátima, Portugal, when thousands of people claimed to have witnessed a solar phenomenon associated with the apparition of the Virgin Mary.
Route and schedule
The faithful will begin gathering at 4:00 PM at the Church of Carmo, located on João Lisboa Square in the historic center of the city. The walk is scheduled to depart at 6:00 PM, heading toward the São Francisco Parish in the neighborhood of the same name. The route will include crossing the São Francisco bridge, which will be illuminated by the candles carried by participants, symbolizing faith and Marian devotion.
Religious significance
The procession’s main purpose is to recall the last apparition of Our Lady of Fátima, when, according to historical accounts, the Virgin appeared to some 70,000 pilgrims in the Cova da Iria. The “Miracle of the Sun” is considered one of the most emblematic episodes of Marian devotion worldwide, and to this day attracts millions of pilgrims to the Portuguese sanctuary. The organizers, Friar Gleison and Carla Barros, have invited the entire Catholic community to participate in this act of faith, which will include moments of prayer, hymns, and spiritual reflection.
Complementary programming
The celebration is part of the Triduum in honor of Our Lady of Fátima, which will conclude on October 13 with a Mass at 12:00 PM at the Mother Church of São Francisco de Assis, presided over by Friar Gleison. The decision to hold the procession on the 12th is intended to facilitate the participation of the faithful and adjust traffic flow, without losing sight of the central date of the commemoration. The organizers emphasize that the memory of the miracle that occurred over a century ago remains alive, recalling the intercession of the Mother of God.
Original source: oimparcial.com.br (published on October 10, 2025)
Photo: Rui Silva sj on Unsplash
