Alex Rocha/PMPA
The 5 km route was covered in strong sunlight on Friday morning
Under the strong sun, thousands of faithful, many barefoot, carrying candles, flowers and rosaries, participated this Friday morning, 2, in the traditional Procession of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes. Celebrations of faith by devotees to ask for graces, blessings and pay promises to the saint took over the streets of Porto Alegre from the early hours of the morning. The religious event is considered an intangible heritage of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul and this year’s theme was “With the Mother of Sailors, walk in hope”. (Photos)
The tributes began at 7am, with a mass at the Nossa Senhora do Rosário Parish, in the Historic Center, packed with devotees. Mayor Sebastião Melo and the first lady of the Municipality, Valéria Leopoldino, attended the celebration, along with other authorities. The Navegantes festival is promoted by the Archdiocese of Porto Alegre with support from the city hall.
“This is an event that was practically born together with our city. Every year, we join thousands of faithful to pay homage to the affectionate patron saint of the Capital, in the hope of a better world” – Mayor Sebastião Melo.
The municipal secretary of Culture and Creative Economy, Henry Ventura, also participated in the celebrations. “Another year consolidating tradition, religious dressed in white and carrying flowers in the city’s largest religious event. It is a moment of devotion, of gratitude.”
After the mass, the procession began through the streets of the Historic Center, following Mauá and Castelo Branco avenues until reaching the Bus Station. Under applause and prayers, the platform with the image of the Saint followed the route of around five kilometers until reaching the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, where it was greeted by another hundred of the faithful.
Along the way, Tiago Schmitz, driver, thanked with his flip-flops in his hands and his bare feet on the hot asphalt for the graces achieved. “She saved my twin sons Miguelbe Arthur who were born prematurely. Today they are healthy, 4 years old,” he said. Civil engineer Luciane Bueno Ferreira came with her young children and her husband to thank Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes for the “gift of life”.
Housewife Simone Santos wore a t-shirt with photos of her daughter, brother and niece. “They all had serious illnesses and were cured with the prayers and promises I made to the saint,” she said.
At 10:30 am, an open mass was celebrated by Metropolitan Archbishop Dom Jaime Spengler. Throughout the afternoon, masses will be said and there will be the enthronement of the image at dusk, with the celebration scheduled to end at 7pm.
Traffic – Around 80 traffic and transport inspection agents from the Public Transport and Circulation Company (EPTC) guided traffic during temporary traffic blockages or diversions and accompanied the procession to ensure road safety at the event. Agents also monitored the control and monitoring center of city hall mobility to make adjustments and minimize impacts on traffic.
The information was updated, in real time, through the profile @EPTC_POA on social network X (the old Twitter).