Didn’t the area of São Paulo used to be called the “Planalto de Piratininga?” It was here that devotion to Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe began to spread. We are standing before the Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. Its story is one of faith, fire and rebirth.
Back in 1910, Pope Pius X declared Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe the Patroness of Latin America. Later in 1945, she became the Patroness of the Americas. This included the United States and Canada. The devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe eventually reached São Paulo.
In the beginning, there were few houses and small farms. The people were simple but full of faith. With the religious assistance of Father Newton José Crippa, the first vicar, everything started. Mass was celebrated in the garage of the priest’s parents’ house. An image of Nossa Senhora Aparecida traveled to the houses of the faithful for the praying of the rosary.
A piece of land was acquired. The dream of having a church to welcome the faithful became a reality. Dom Paulo Rolim Loureiro, then auxiliary bishop of São Paulo, wanted to build a parish in each neighborhood. He also wanted a parish dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
On August 15 1955, Father Crippa and a multitude of faithful people witnessed the blessing of the foundation stone. This took place on the land where the first church was later built. Friar José Francisco de Guadalupe Mojica happened to be passing through São Paulo. He was a Mexican friar who had been a famous actor before becoming religious.
Friar Mojica, a devoted follower of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, enthusiastically spread devotion to the Virgin. A week after the bishop’s blessing, Friar Mojica celebrated the first mass on the land. It honored the future patron saint of the parish. This marked the beginning of the Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe in Campo Belo. A small but cozy church was built.
Brazilian athletes gifted Father Crippa an icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They received it during the Pan American Games in Mexico City in March 1955. This icon was saved from the fire that destroyed the first chapel. It remains in the current church today.
As time passed, the neighborhood grew. The first church caught fire in 1970. Only the tower remained. It stands majestically as a symbol of Christian faith in this neighborhood. The baptistery was also saved. It is now displayed in the garden as a reminder of the past.
Another church was built on the site. It was modern and attractive. Father Paulo Homero Gozzi and the community worked hard together. They wanted the Mother’s House to be a meeting place for her children. Many people have passed through here including committed individuals and zealous priests.
Some left visible marks, but all contributed. Time continues to pass. The challenges are greater now than before. The Mother’s House seems small for so many children. However, she remains the same. She welcomes all her children with motherly love in her small sanctuary.
During the fire in 1970, some objects of great spiritual and historical value were saved. These included the Blessed Sacrament and the icon of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. Students from Sobral rescued the icon. The church’s registration books and a wooden cross were also saved. The tower and baptismal font remain in the garden today.
The tower was donated with its bell. The access to the tower was inside the church. According to the founders, the foundation stone is kept inside the tower. There is also a passage that connects the church and the tower.
Currently, the bell rings harmoniously. It reminds the faithful of God’s presence. A painting of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe was donated to the community. It remained rolled up until it was framed. That’s why her image does not appear in old photos. Father Augusto restored the painting bringing back its colors and shine.
Relics were placed on the altar when the new church was built. Before the parish was founded, the parish priest of Nossa Senhora de Aparecida lent an image to the community. This image was returned to the Igreja de Moema. A parishioner then bought one to donate to the community. This image was lost in the great fire of 1970.