“Finally, the prayers of the devotees were answered”. That’s how a local newspaper described the revitalization of Recanto Nossa Senhora das Graças. This sanctuary is dedicated to the Mother of Jesus in Copacabana. It sits above the Sá Freire Alvim Tunnel on Rua Barata Ribeiro. For years, devotees faced a Via Crucis to preserve this space for prayer.
Recanto Nossa Senhora das Graças opened in the 1970s. A woman named Olivia Fagundes Coelho from Minas Gerais cared for it. She fought against worldly troubles to honor the blue oratory. It held an image of Nossa Senhora das Graças on a white-painted stone. Priests from the São Paulo Apóstolo Parish in Copacabana often held masses here.
One challenge for Dona Olivia was the lack of documentation. It was needed to prove ownership of the land dedicated to the Saint. With much effort and prayer, she resolved this issue. Structural improvements only came after the approval of Law 6.069 in 2016. Carlo Caiado, a councilor, authored the law and Mayor Eduardo Paes approved it. The law officially recognized the place of devotion.
Initially, there were only two benches. After a collection by the devoted, fourteen benches were installed. The expansion of the Copacabana subway in 2017 created new obstacles. Access to the sanctuary’s water source was blocked by Metro workers. They used it and then shut it off. This prevented the care of local plants and many died.
A generator was installed in a structure obstructing the path. It was difficult for elderly and disabled visitors to pass. However, homeless people and drug users found it easy to enter. It also provided protection from police. One devotee, Maria Lúcia, lamented the degradation. She missed the daily rosaries and the cleanliness of the past.
The residents association of Copacabana achieved a victory against the neglect. They advanced other demands for the famous tourist district. This included cleaning and unclogging drains on Rua Tonelero. The revitalization of Praça Serzedelo Correa was also requested. The square was considered a center of disorder and crime.
So now you know a bit more about the history of the Recanto Nossa Senhora das Graças. This small sanctuary has survived many challenges. It is a testament to the enduring faith of the people of Copacabana. It is a place of peace amid the chaos of the city.