Each year during the month of April, thousands of young Vincentians gather together for a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in São Paulo, Brazil. Because of the present health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, this pilgrimage has been rescheduled.

Two weeks ago the organizing committee published the following statement:

In light of the possible transmission of Covid-19, the Organizing Committee has decided to postpone this event. We hope to be able to set another date that will enable us to gather together with our sisters and brothers and celebrate this pilgrimage/act of thanksgiving. Because of the affection that we have for each one of you, we do not want to expose you to a risky situation. The situation is still very new. We have already entered into dialogue with the National Shrine in order to establish a new date for this event. As soon as we have news about this new date, we will communicate this information to you so that you put it on your schedule and celebrate with us the 50^th anniversary of the pilgrimage, the largest Vincentian event in the world.  We trust in your prayers for Brazil and for the world … through faith, good practices and without panic we will overcome this difficult situation.

We have now established a new date for this pilgrimage, DECEMBER 4, 5, 6, 2020 … days that coincide with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The most recent statement indicates the following:

The pilgrimage has been rescheduled for December 4, 5, 6. Let us take advantage of these days that coincide with the feast of the Immaculate Conception … let us recall that Blessed Frederic Ozanam chose the Blessed Mother as the patroness of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. For those who might not know this, the image of our Lady of Aparecida (a rusted statue) was found by fishermen. We hope that you will be able to celebrate this Jubilee with us which for reasons beyond our control, has had to be rescheduled. We trust in Divine Providence and are convinced that December was chosen by Jesus so that we might honor his Mother.

For more information see the webpage of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Brazil: https://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/