Promises, Latin America, culture, faith, religion

Payer of promises

In Brazil, is a common tradition to ask for the help of the saints and every year thousands of devotees, coming from all parts of the country, comes to the temple of Our Lady of Aparecida to pay their promises, pray, ask for protection and be grateful for all the blessings achieved.

Every October 12th, Brazilians celebrate her day, also the most famous day to pay the promises. Some of these promises can look too harsh for those who do not believe or have no faith, but every single one of them, pay their promises with a warm heart full of love, faith and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary that takes care of all the payers of promises as a mother for their sons.

Inside the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration for the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Aparecida, a brazilian city, famous by the Basilica of...

Aparecida, a brazilian city, famous by the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration for the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - The Old Basilica of Our Lady Mother Aparecida,...

The Old Basilica of Our Lady Mother Aparecida, construction style Baroque , Basilica Matrix is known for pilgrims as the former home of Our Lady Aparecida, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Devotees entering to pass by the original image of Our...

Devotees entering to pass by the original image of Our Lady of Aparecida displayed at the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a countryside city in the state of São Paulo. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration of the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Lady admiring the Old Basilica of Our Lady Mother...

Lady admiring the Old Basilica of Our Lady Mother Aparecida, construction style Baroque , Basilica Matrix is known for pilgrims as the former home of Our Lady Aparecida, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - A stray dog sleeps under one of the benches during the...

A stray dog sleeps under one of the benches during the mass inside the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a countryside city in the state of São Paulo. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration of the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Devotees present objects to be blessed with holy water...

Devotees present objects to be blessed with holy water during the Mass in the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration for the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Sign indicating where to deliver the object for the grace...

Sign indicating where to deliver the object for the grace achieved in the miracles´ room, where people give their portraits or any personal objects asking Our Lady Of Aparecida to solve their problems, as health or any other kind of problems, or they give it to thanks for the bless reached. In the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world. January 2018. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - The ceiling of the miracles´ room, where people...

The ceiling of the miracles´ room, where people give their portraits or any personal objects asking Our Lady Of Aparecida to solve their problems, as health or any other kind of problems, or they give it to thanks for the bless reached. In the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city, the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Old lady delivering her wax knee in the miracles´...

Old lady delivering her wax knee in the miracles´ room, paying her made promises due to some health issues with her knees, thanking the saint for achievie its health back. In the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world. January 2018. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Plates made in appreciation of grace achieved in the...

Plates made in appreciation of grace achieved in the miracles´ room, where people give their portraits or any personal objects asking Our Lady Of Aparecida to solve their problems, as health or any other kind of problems, or they give it to thanks for the bless reached. In the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city, the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Sanctuary of Saint Aparecida, national saint of Brazil,...

Sanctuary of Saint Aparecida, national saint of Brazil, during the last weekend of the celebrations´ month in Aparecida city. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Man lighting a small candle in the Candle´s room....

Man lighting a small candle in the Candle´s room. In the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city, the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - Man walking all the way ,from de Basilic to the Old...

Man walking all the way ,from de Basilic to the Old Basilic, on his knees to pay a promise ,people used to walk through it as a way of pay a promise, during the last weekend in October ,the whole month is dedicated to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - People resting on the floor, napping after the day in the...

People resting on the floor, napping after the day in the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration for the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - The statues of Our Lady of Aparecida for sale in a store....

The statues of Our Lady of Aparecida for sale in a store. The image is widely venerated by Brazilian Roman Catholics, who consider her as the principal patroness of Brazil.[1] Pious accounts claim that the statue was originally found by fishermen, who miraculously caught many fishes after invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dark statue is currently housed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Aparecida, São Paulo. The cult is not to the image, but for the first apparition of the Immaculate Conception in Brazil, for the first time ever in a black skin color. The image is considered a symbol of this event, and the apparition as a blessing to Brazil. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende

Payer of promises - The parking after believers left the Basilica of...

The parking after believers left the Basilica of Aparecida National Sanctuary at Aparecida, a brazilian city. The Basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world, being able to hold up to 45,000 worshippers. The whole month of October is the celebration for the Our Lady of Aparecida´s day. October, 2012. Aparecida do Norte (SP). Photo: Alinne Rezende