The day of San Miguel Arcángel was officially incorporated into the National calendar of Brazil after the promulgation of a law sanctioned by the acting president, Geraldo Alckmin, and published on September 25 in the Official Gazette of the Union.
The established date is the September 29day when the Church celebrates the Archangels Miguel, Gabriel and Rafael, and in particular to San Miguel, venerated as a protector and defender of faith.
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“The date instituted by this law aims to pay tribute to San Miguel Arcángel, recognizing its historical importance and its relevance to the Catholic faith of the Brazilian people,” says Law No. 15.219.
The website of the Presidency of the Republic stressed that San Miguel is “a symbol of protection and defense of faith, and patron of the Military Police and of various Brazilian cities, such as Uberaba, Nova Iguaçu, São Miguel do Oeste and São Miguel do Iguaçu”.
A devotion rooted in Brazil
In the country, San Miguel is celebrated with masses, processions and religious parties in different regions. The institution of the date in the national calendar, the authorities explained, has a symbolic and cultural character, without budgetary impact, and officially recognizes a devotional practice already extended in Brazilian society.
In recent years, the practice of the Lent of San Miguel has grown, which begins on August 15, in the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and concludes on September 29. Thousands of faithful participate in this devotion, in a special way through online transmissions led by Frei Gilson Azevedo, of the Messenger Carmelites of the Holy Spirit, and by the Hesed Institute.
A national pilgrimage
Since the end of July a pilgrimage by Brazil of an image of San Miguel Arcanjo from the Sanctuary of Monte Gargano, in Italy, in Italy. The image has traveled the five regions of the country and will conclude its itinerary on September 29.
On August 12, during a solemn session in the National Congress, the pilgrim image was presented and San Miguel was proclaimed spiritual commander of the Brazilian nation.
Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in ACI Digital.
NATALIA ZIMBRÃO
Natalia Zimbrão has a degree in Journalism from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. He is a journalist from ACI Digital since 2015. He has previous experience in magazines, radio and online journalism.