Here on Rua Riachuelo stands a testament to faith. It is the Santuário Nossa Senhora de Fátima. This Catholic church resides in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Its story began with a mission.
Father Ângelo Di Paoli received this mission in April 1934. Saint Luis Orione entrusted him with constructing this sanctuary. Father Ângelo started meticulously. He created a ledger to track donations on May 3 1935.
In 1938 a plot of land was acquired in Rio de Janeiro. By 1939 the first chapel was erected. Father Ângelo Di Paoli celebrated the first Mass there on October 13 1939. December 10 1939 was a special day. Dom Beni Aloísio Mazela blessed the image of Nossa Senhora de Fátima. This image remains here to this day.
The Confraria de Nossa Senhora de Fátima was established in January 1940. June of that year saw a significant event. Cardinal Dom Sebastião Leme laid the cornerstone. The Portuguese Ambassador Dr. Martinho Nobre de Melo was present. Many figures from the Portuguese community attended.
The church was officially inaugurated on May 3 1947. The inauguration took place on the thirtieth anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin in Fatima. Festivities lasted from May 3 to May 13.
Interestingly the altar to the left is dedicated to São João de Brito. He was born in Lisbon in 1647. His father Salvador de Brito Pereira governed Rio from 1649 to 1651. São João Brito became a martyr in India in 1693.
The Santuário Nossa Senhora de Fátima became a matriz church on September 9 1960. It became the Santuário Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Fátima do Centro.
The church celebrates two important dates for Nossa Senhora de Fátima. These are May 13 and October 13. May 13 marks her first apparition. October 13 is the date of her last apparition. During these times the Matriz holds special events. There is a preparatory Novena a procession and hourly Masses.
The church provides social assistance. It distributes basic food baskets and clothing to registered families. Approximately 50 families receive assistance. Including occasional aid around 350 people benefit monthly. Attached to the Matriz is the Creche Irmã Paula. It supports 165 children managed by the Vicentinas sisters. The church also features a hall for various events.
Visiting Igreja Nossa Senhora de Fátima is more than seeing a church. It is experiencing faith dedication and community spirit.