Could the thick walls of the Santuário Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso speak what tales they would tell. Located in the Bonsucesso neighborhood it is one of Guarulhos’ oldest churches. It replaced an old chapel and was built in the 19th century using rammed earth.
The Santuário Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso stands as a testament to both faith and history. It is a key landmark for the region’s oldest religious event. This is the Festa da Carpição which occurs every year on the first Monday in August. Also the Festa de Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso has been held since 1741 at the end of August.
The chapel of São Benedito is part of the complex. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. It served the enslaved and freed people of African descent.
The origin of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso is not entirely clear. The earliest mention traces back to Lisbon Portugal in the 16th or 17th century. According to Frei Agostinho de Santa Maria’s “Santuário Mariano” a countess named D. Eyria de Brito received an image of the Virgin. A pilgrim gave it to her mysteriously without asking for anything. She started calling her “da Conceição”. The image was of rock about two and a half palms in size. It had a half body made of maple wood with hinged arms. Only the head and hands were painted.
D. Eyria a widow founded a convent with her wealth. Dominican nuns settled there. They placed the Child Jesus in her arms. A religious woman had a revelation and gave her the title “Bom Sucesso.” The “Colégio do Bom Sucesso” in Lisbon was founded in 1639 by Irish priest Daniel O’ Daly. He struggled for nine years to house Dominican nuns from Ireland who were being persecuted. Countess D. Iria de Brito a childless widow donated her Belém estate to the religious order.
Another account of the devotion’s origin references the same “Santuário Mariano” source. This version highlights that during renovations in the sacristy of the Igreja do Hospital Real de Todos os Santos an image of Nossa Senhora was discovered inside a wall in 1656. The city of Lisbon was moved by the image’s appearance and venerated it as a miraculous find. The Hospital Real also had written records that mysteriously gave this holy image the title of Bom Sucesso. Tradition says it was hidden with others from the English. However it is not clear why it remained hidden after the danger from the heretical Lutherans Calvinists and others had passed.
Initially the Virgin of Bom Sucesso was invoked to grant devotees a good death. The greatest success desired was a “happy hour” followed by eternal salvation. A brotherhood was started in Portugal in the 16th century. Its protector was Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso dos Agonizantes.
Around 1937 Father Miguel Costa a devotee of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso brought the saint’s image to Rio de Janeiro. He built a church in her honor. During the inaugural celebrations on September 11 three priests claimed to have seen the image of Mary in the Sacred Host while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.
Father João de Faria Fialho one of her devotees participated in early expeditions into the Cataguás hinterlands. He discovered rich gold deposits near present-day Ouro Preto. Trusting in the Virgin of Bom Sucesso’s protection the pioneering priest carried an image of her on his expedition. After achieving success he built a small chapel to thank her.
Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso became known as the protector of earthly goods but she did not lose her original protective character. Her cult grew spreading throughout the Paraíba Valley and Minas Gerais.
Returning to the Santuário Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso here in Guarulhos note its architecture. The Catedral Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso is one of the city’s oldest churches. Built in the 19th century with rammed earth it features Baroque elements. The thick walls measure 80cm to 1m wide. The original floor remains. Beneath the altar lies João Álvares Siqueira Bueno a provincial deputy of São Paulo and key figure in Guarulhos’ emancipation.
It once served as a stop for muleteers who received blessings. They then continued along the “Estrada Central” towards gold-rich regions. Today its exterior is painted yellow referencing Guarulhos’ gold rush era. The “Festa da Carpição” takes place on the first Monday of August. Possibly started in 1741 the ritual involves clearing around the church. This honors Nossa Senhora do Bonsucesso. The image was found in the earth which is said to give the ritual its miraculous properties.
So as you stand before this historic site consider the countless stories within these walls. The Santuário Nossa Senhora de Bonsucesso continues to be a beacon of faith. It is a testament to devotion and a keeper of Guarulhos’ rich history.