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Catholic Faith and Charity Circuit
New faith experiences in 5 places of visitation
Salvador may be known by tourists as the city of carnival and a beach destination, but the topic of the moment is the growing demand for the Catholic religious tourism. One of the possible explanations is the canonization of Sister Dulce, which has helped in popularizing the achievements of the “Good Angel of Bahia” even more and, thus, Salvador is increasingly becoming a destination for pilgrims from all over Brazil.
Bahians often say that there is a church in Salvador for each day of the year. The number, which practically became a legend in Bahia, today is only true in the verses of the song “365 igrejas a Bahia tem” (Bahia has 365 churches), by Dorival Caymmi, after all, there are already more than 370 Catholic churches in the city today. In this itinerary, we will take you to know 5 places that, besides having great stories, also promote an immersion, an excellent opportunity for Catholics, as well as curious people, to deeply experience unpublished faith experiences.
Church of Our Lady of Conceição da Praia
Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia. Foto: Fábio Marconi
Imagine praying the rosary in the Church of Our Lady of Conceição da Praia walking to each of the altars, even inside the “early church” where it all began. You will learn about the church’s construction and its curiosities. This is one of the three emblematic churches that Sister Dulce’s devotees will be thrilled to visit. There was the place where Sister Dulce’s funeral was held and the first place where her body was buried before she was definitively in Sister Dulce Sanctuary.
In 1549, Portuguese ships docked in Salvador. An image of the Patron Saint of Lisbon accompanied the troop’s great trips. The image, unique in the whole world, was settled on a first building, which ruins still exist today. The image of Our Lady Immaculate Conception reigned absolute until 1946, when the nun was proclaimed Patron Saint of Bahia. The church project was developed in Portugal and its current construction, in baroque style, was made entirely of lioz marble brought from Portugal. The stones were glued with whale oil and the work lasted 300 years, involving three generations of artisans. It is the only modular construction church of Salvador.
The Church of Our Lady of Conceição da Praia, located on Conceição da Praia Street, is practically in front of the sea. The name Conceição da Praia came from the population itself, because it is close to the beach. Built in 1623, it is one of the oldest parishes of the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.
About the Faith Experience: Reserved Parking. It happens every day. Mass schedule: daily at 7:30 am, Wednesday at 12 pm and Sundays at 8 am and 10 am). Welcoming and faith experience last approximately 1 hour. There is a Café and a store.
Service
Address: Rua da Conceição da Praia – Church, no number – Comércio – ZIP Code: 40015-250
Phone #: (71) 3038-6250 / 3038-6254
Email: pnscp@ig.com.br / Website: www.santuarioconceicaodapraia.com
Church open from Monday to Thursday, from 8 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm, Friday and Sunday, from 8 am to 12 pm.
The Savior Monastery (Mosteiro do Salvador)
Mosteiro do Salvador. Coutos, Salvador, Bahia. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.
Watching the Gregorian chants of the Benedictine Nuns at the Savior Monastery and eating cookies and jams produced by them is a unique experience. To top it off, you can take a walk in a very European-style pine grove.
The Savior Monastery was born when the Benedictine Congregation of Brazil celebrated 150 years of existence. Cardinal Primate of Brazil, D. Avelar Brandão Vilela, asked Mrs. Abadessa Luzia Ribeiro de Oliveira OSB, from the Belo Horizonte Monastery for a foundation in Salvador. In 1977, were chosen for the foundation in Bahia: Mother Joana Calmon Villas-Bôas, Prioresa; Sister Pia, Sr. Marta Beatrice, Sr. Vera Lucia and Sr. Ivone, this last one being a nun of the Congregation of the Queen of Apostles, to help the foundation. The group chose for their monastery the name of Savior Monastery, which patronal feast is celebrated on August 6, “The Lord’s Transfiguration”.
The Savior Monastery was initially in Brotas until, in 1981, it moved to Coutos, a region of Salvador’s rail suburb where it still lives. There, one can experience the Gregorian chant accompanied by the sound of the zither, created to express the words of Holy Scripture. This age-old tradition resonates even today in new and old ways. Many people also seek the monastery for spiritual retreats, as the place has a great guesthouse.
End the visit by going to the shop. The nuns produce the traditional Bricelet and the Bricelet Cocktail (salty), a crisp, light and delicate handmade cookie made in a Swiss or German machine, which follows a traditional Swiss recipe with selected ingredients. It is a work done by the nuns since 1977, the year of the Savior Monastery founding. They also make delicious “Premium Jellies” in 17 flavors such as guava, tangerine mango, strawberry with wine, apple with cinnamon, acerola with pepper, among others.
About the faith experience: Parking. Hostel. Social work. The faith experience lasts approximately 1 hour. Lunch. Arrival at the place no later than 11:45. Website: http://www.mosteirodosalvador.org.br/. In the church of the Savior Monastery, the community meets five times a day to celebrate the Divine Office and the Eucharist, always open to the participation of those who arrive.
To order the cookies and jellies: whatsapp (71) 98288 5253 or saboresmonasticos@mosteirodosalvador.org.br
Parish of Our Lady of Alagados and St. John Paul II
Paróquia de Nossa Senhora dos Alagados. Salvador, Bahia. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.
The Parish of Our Lady of Alagados and St. John Paul II, is the only place where you can find first degree reliquaries of 3 saints: Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Sister Dulce, besides knowing the works of the Community basis.
Our Lady of Alagados Church is very close to Ilha dos Ratos, where Sister Dulce’s work began in 1939, assisting the poor community of Alagados. The building dates back to 1980, and was erected for the first visit to Brazil of then Pope John Paul II, one of the most famous and charismatic pontiffs of the Catholic Church. He wanted to visit the poorest of the poor. Cardinal Dom Avelar, then Archbishop of Salvador, chose Alagados to welcome the Pope, which forever marked this community people’s lives. In 2014, with the canonization of St. John Paul II, the church was renamed Parish of Our Lady of Alagados and St. John Paul II. This is the first church in the world dedicated to the saint.
Mother Teresa was in Alagados on her first visit to Bahia, in 1979, being received by Sister Dulce, who performed assistance works there. This place is considered Holy Land because of all the saints who have stepped there, all those who still do, and those who resist the elements of violence and poverty that still make up the local reality.
Some projects stand out for the need for immediate assistance: distribution of 200 liters of soup fortnightly, prepared by parishioners; welcoming, accompanying and helping young pregnant women in Sonho de Mãe.
About the faith experience: Parking. Faith experience (contemplating: history, surrounding geography, iconography, holy land), around 45 min. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (morning or afternoon). Community-based tourism from 9am to 4pm. Groups of 8 to 20 people. May have lunch (menu on scheduling). Advance payment (ask about values). Address: Parish of Our Lady of Alagados and St. John Paul II – Luiz Régis Pacheco Street, 1618, Uruguai. ZIP Code: 40450-060 – Salvador / BA. www.paroquiadosalagados.org Phone #: 71 3314-5087 nsalagados@gmail.com
Sister Dulce’s Social Works
Túmulo Irmã Dulce. Salvador, Bahia. Foto assessoria.
Getting a closer look at Sister Dulce’s Social Works, the Sanctuary that is also next to the Memorial, is a must-see for anyone who wants to deeply know this nun’s history. We have prepared an experience with all the details in this link.
In 2018, the Way of Faith was created – a one-kilometer route linking Sister Dulce’s Sanctuary to the Bonfim Basilica. The two spaces are among the most visited by pilgrims across the country. The route is still under implementation, but already generates expectations.
About the faith experience: Parking. Daily (two shifts). Accessibility. Faith experience in the Sanctuary around 25 min. Visit to the memorial. There are coffee shop and store.
Do you want to know many curious facts about the Good Angel of Bahia? Click on this link.
Basilica of Our Lord of Bonfim
Igreja do Bonfim. Salvador, Bahia. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.
Finish the day at the Basilica of Our Lord of Bonfim, visit the museum of the Ex-Votos, climb the tower and have the chance to take the highest symbol, the crucified Christ, to the altar during the celebration of the 5 pm Mass.
The Lord of Bonfim is an icon of the Bahian faith, attracting many devotees, tourists and pilgrims. The church has neoclassical architecture and rococo façade, following the model of Portuguese churches of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with beautiful frescoes and tiles.
It was built because Theodózio Rodrigues de Faria, captain of the Portuguese Navy, fervent devotee of the Lord of Bonfim, had made a promise during a storm that if he survived, he would bring to Brazil the images of the Lord Jesus of Bonfim and Our Lady of Guia. Thus, on April 18, 1745, a replica was brought from his homeland, Setubal, in Portugal, beginning the construction of the Church of Our Lord of Bonfim. But it was not only the church that was built: at this time, the worship of the Lord of Bonfim and Our Lady of Guia began, with the creation of the “Devotion of the Lord Bom Jesus of Bonfim”, a laity’s brotherhood recognized by the then Archbishop Dom José Botelho de Matos, present at the foundation of the same.
Do you want to know more about this story? Then click on this link.
About the faith experience: Parking. Accessibility. Good Samaritan Project. Faith experience during the celebration of Mass at 5pm.
Note:
The complete tour includes: 5 places of visitation with unprecedented faith experiences. Lunch. Possibility to customize the tour according to the costumer’s availability and interest. Prior appointment required. Capacity up to 30 people.
Scheduling
Alameda Turismo – Pedro Costa 71 99124-7480
Vitor Faptur – Candida Xavier 71 99932-8738
Plus Viagem – Vitor 71 98882-1777
Church of Our Lady of Conceição da Praia: Cristoval or Mayara- 3038-6250 / 99196-9546
Savior Monastery: Sister Maura- 3521-1802 / 98288-5253
Parish of Our Lady of Alagados and St. John Paul II: Hilda- 3314-5087 / 98661-7548
Sister Dulce’s Social Works: Fabiana- 99653-4995 / 3310-1115
Basilica of Our Lord of Bonfim: Hosana- 3316-2196 / 3207-1551 / 99138-8368
