Didn’t Machado de Assis once attend Christmas Mass right here at the Capela do Menino Deus? Legend says he was inspired to write his “Auto de Natal” afterward. This chapel’s history is deeply intertwined with Rio’s past. It offers a serene escape in the bustling Lapa neighborhood.
The Capela do Menino Deus dates back to the 18th century. Its story begins with Madre Jacinta de São José and her sister Francisca. In 1742, they discovered the Chácara da Bica. It was an old estate in ruins. They asked their uncle to buy the property. Soon after, the sisters established the Recolhimento do Menino Deus. It became the first convent for barefoot Carmelite nuns in the colony.
Construction of the first chapel started. It was consecrated on January 1 1744. Later, plans arose to demolish it. The sisters sought help from Governor Gomes Freire de Andrade. He ensured the chapel’s preservation. Look closely. The street makes a curve right in front of the Capela do Menino Deus.
Governor Andrade was impressed by Madre Jacinta’s virtue. He obtained land for the convent’s relocation. It was located on the Outeiro do Desterro. Today, it is the Santa Tereza neighborhood. Only the Capela do Menino Deus remained at the original site. Over time, the chapel fell into disrepair and ruin. The image of Menino Deus was moved to the convent.
The Capela do Menino Deus was rebuilt in 1925. The Conselho Superior da Sociedade de São Vicente de Paulo led the reconstruction. The nuns from the Convento de Santa Tereza gave their approval. Relics from Madre Jacinta’s time returned. These included the image of Menino Deus, a chalice and old bells. They were paraded in procession on January 6 1925.
Some say the roof tiles were crafted on the thighs of slaves. Others claim the handprints of enslaved people are visible on the ceiling. The chapel has a rectangular layout of seventy square meters. Its architecture features two stories and a neoclassical facade. Inside, a single nave extends under a vaulted ceiling. Natural light streams through four arched windows. Stained glass adorns the windows. The choir loft sits above the main entrance.
Today, the Capela do Menino Deus provides regular services. Masses are held throughout the week. People seek solace and spiritual connection here. The Capela do Menino Deus stands as a testament to faith, resilience and Rio’s rich heritage. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the stories it holds within its walls.