More than one million faithful participated on Sunday, April 27 in the pilgrimage of men, one of the central events of the Peña party, considered one of the oldest and most important pilgrimages in Brazil.
On the 14 km journey through the streets of Vitória, capital of the state of Espírito Santo, expressed their devotion to the Virgen de la Peña with gratitude and fervor.
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The image of Our Lady of the Peña, taken in the “Peña Mobile”, reached the Prainha Park, in Vila Velha, where a crowd waited for its arrival to participate in the central mass. It was there that one of the most emotional moments of the day was lived, with the faithful united in prayer and gratitude, despite tiredness.
Once again, great faith and devotion became visible in the testimony of the pilgrims. Some came from far away, after walks that lasted more than a day; Others departed from closest points, such as the Vitória Cathedral. This pilgrimage is the greatest of all those that are held during the Peña party.
For Felipe Sangrillo, a local parishioner, it was a special moment to thank the Virgin for the life of her daughter, whom they consider a miracle for the intercession of Our Lady.
“She is our miracle. We have been trying to get pregnant since 2020 and we have had two losses, but we never lost faith. We always believed in God, in Our Lady of the Peña and in Our Lady of Aparecida. We never lost faith. Everything is possible for God,” he told Ewtn News.
The auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Vitória, Mons. Anderson Franklin, accompanied the multitude of faithful throughout the route, showing their proximity.
“The Virgen de la Peña presents us with the Child Jesus, Reason for God’s victory over death. That is why today, each of us feels accompanied not only of the Virgin, but of a multitude of pilgrims of hope. We do not walk alone, but next to brothers and sisters who share with us the same faith,” he told Ewtn News
At the Mass held at the end of the pilgrimage, the archbishop of Vitória, Mons.
In his homily, he invited the faithful to lift his arms and give thanks for the life of Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The devotees responded with enthusiasm and a spontaneous round of applause flooded Prainha. Mons. Mezzari recalled that we are all pilgrims on the way with Mary, with Jesus and with the Church, and citing Pope Francis, he reaffirmed: “We are pilgrims to a full life.”
The custodian of the convent of La Peña, Fray Gabriel Dellandrea, and the Franciscan friars also pilgrimage along with the people.
“This consists of the pilgrimage of men: to physically walk – or better, run – towards ourselves, towards the encounter with the Lord. This pilgrimage time becomes a privileged opportunity to look at the Virgin Mary as a refuge and guide for us. She enlightens us, shows us the way,” said DelLandrea to Ewtn News
Adriano, a parishioner who participates every year to thank the Virgen de la Peña for the healing of a serious problem, told Ewtn News: “Thanks to a promise that I made to the Virgin – since I am devoted to his for many years – she cured me the blood clot. I was in danger of losing the kidneys, and thanks to her, I have not lost them.
“Every year I come here to thank you for the blessing it has given me,” he said.
The Peña party has been celebrated for 455 years. This year’s motto was: With Maria, Pilgrims of Hope. In the nine days of the party, more than two and a half million faithful participated in tens of masses, pilgrimages and numerous manifestations of faith.
Diego López Marina
I was born in 1991. I have a degree in Communication Sciences. Since 2015 I work as a digital journalist. I started my career in the newspaper El Comercio in Peru. In 2016, I began as editor in ACI Press and I perform as a web editor since 2018. From 2024, I write the Newsletter for Social Media. I specialize in Catholic news focused on the defense of life and family, international politics, technology, popular culture and the Vatican.