Cristo Redentor Sanctuary Celebrates 94th Anniversary with Mass and Cultural Events
Rio de Janeiro's Cristo Redentor Sanctuary marks 94 years with a mass, cultural appointments, and charity campaign, highlighting social causes and new partnerships.
- • 94th anniversary mass held at Cristo Redentor Sanctuary on October 12
- • Renato Aragão named ambassador for culture and tourism
- • Launch of 'Clássico é Brincar' campaign to collect toys and books for vulnerable children
- • Special blue lighting on October 13 to celebrate partnership with Bahia sanctuary
Key details
On October 12, the Cristo Redentor Sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro commemorated its 94th anniversary alongside Children's Day and the feast of Our Lady Aparecida, Brazil's patroness. A special mass, led by Father Omar Raposo, drew hundreds of faithful despite overcast skies that obscured the iconic statue. The ceremony included the appointment of renowned comedian Renato Aragão as an ambassador for culture and tourism for Cristo Redentor, highlighted by Aragão crowning the statue of Our Lady Aparecida.
Father Omar emphasized the importance of prayers for vulnerable children deprived of education and fundamental rights. In line with this, the sanctuary launched the 'Clássico é Brincar' social campaign aiming to collect 10,000 toys and books for underprivileged children by October 31. Additional masses were scheduled throughout the day along with Angelus prayers at noon and 6 p.m.
For the evening of October 13, the monument is set to feature special blue lighting as part of a new collaboration between the Cristo Redentor Archdiocesan Sanctuary and Bahia's Santa Dulce dos Pobres Sanctuary to strengthen initiatives in faith, tourism, culture, sustainable development, and social welfare.
The weather forecast predicted partly cloudy conditions with possible isolated showers and temperatures reaching up to 33°C. These celebrations underscore the continued cultural and religious significance of the sanctuary, combining spiritual observance with community outreach and inter-city partnerships.