Lady of Aparecida Day (Brazil)
2025-11-12 - 2026-10-12
Our Lady of Aparecida Day honors Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. The day commemorates the 1717 discovery of a small clay statue of the Virgin Mary by fishermen in the Paraíba River, which became a symbol of hope and faith. Over centuries, devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida grew into one of Brazil's most cherished traditions. Millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of Aparecida, one of the largest churches in the world, to pay tribute.
When is Lady of Aparecida Day?
Lady of Aparecida Day in Brazil is celebrated on October 12 every year.
The following is the list of Lady of Aparecida Day from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2020Monday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2021Tuesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2022Wednesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2023Thursday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2024Saturday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2025Sunday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2026Monday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2027Tuesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2028Thursday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2029Friday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2030Saturday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2031Sunday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2032Tuesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2033Wednesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2034Thursday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2035Friday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2036Sunday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2037Monday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2038Tuesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2039Wednesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2040Friday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2041Saturday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2042Sunday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2043Monday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2044Wednesday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2045Thursday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2046Friday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2047Saturday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2048Monday

Lady of Aparecida DayOct 12, 2049Tuesday

The History of Lady of Aparecida Day?
The devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida began in October 1717, in the small village of Guaratinguetá, in the Paraíba Valley of São Paulo state. Local fishermen were struggling to catch fish in the Paraíba River as they prepared for the visit of a regional governor, Dom Pedro de Almeida e Portugal, Count of Assumar.
Three fishermen, Domingos Garcia, João Alves, and Filipe Pedroso, prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Casting their nets, they first pulled up a small clay statue of a headless figure from the river. When they cast their nets again, they found the missing head. After retrieving and cleaning the statue, they continued fishing, and to their astonishment, their nets filled with fish.
The fishermen took this as a miracle, and word of the event spread quickly. The little dark-skinned clay statue, later recognized as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, came to be affectionately called Nossa Senhora Aparecida, meaning "Our Lady Who Appeared".
The statue was first kept in the home of Filipe Pedroso, where neighbors gathered to pray. Reports of miracles and healings attributed to Our Lady of Aparecida multiplied, and devotion to her spread across the region. In 1745, a small chapel was built to house the statue, and by 1834, a larger church, the Old Basilica, was constructed to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims.
In 1904, Pope Pius X authorized the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Aparecida, officially recognizing her as a sacred symbol of devotion. Later, in 1930, Pope Pius XI declared her the Patroness of Brazil, cementing her status as a national spiritual figure.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, built to replace the older church, began construction in 1955 and was completed in 1980. That same year, Pope John Paul II visited Brazil and consecrated the new basilica, recognizing it as one of the largest Marian shrines in the world. In 1980, the Brazilian government officially established October 12 as a national holiday dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida, blending religious reverence with cultural celebration.
Today, millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica of Aparecida each year, especially on October 12, walking, cycling or even traveling long distances on foot to express devotion and gratitude.

Christmas Eve
2025-12-24
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday in some countries, and it holds significant religious and cultural importance for Christians and is widely observed around the world.
Table of Contents

When is Christmas Eve?
The History of Christmas Eve?
What Do People Do on This Day?

When is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is celebrated annually on December 24th, and the following is the list of Christmas Eve from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2020Thursday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2021Friday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2022Saturday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2023Sunday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2024Tuesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2025Wednesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2026Thursday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2027Friday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2028Sunday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2029Monday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2030Tuesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2031Wednesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2032Friday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2033Saturday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2034Sunday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2035Monday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2036Wednesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2037Thursday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2038Friday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2039Saturday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2040Monday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2041Tuesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2042Wednesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2043Thursday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2044Saturday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2045Sunday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2046Monday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2047Tuesday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2048Thursday

Christmas EveDecember 24, 2049Friday

The History of Christmas Eve?
The traditions and observances associated with Christmas Eve have evolved over centuries, blending Christian liturgical practices with cultural customs and folklore.
The celebration of Christmas as a feast day began in the early Christian church. By the 4th century, December 25th was established as the date to commemorate the birth of Jesus, aligning with the Roman winter solstice festival and the pagan festival of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun).
Early Christians observed Christmas Eve with a vigil, a nighttime prayer service, reflecting on the spiritual anticipation of Christ's birth. This tradition is the precursor to Midnight Mass in many Christian denominations.
During the Middle Ages, Christmas Eve became associated with nativity scenes and plays, dramatizing the story of Jesus's birth. These events often took place in churches or town squares and helped to popularize the Christmas story among the illiterate.
In medieval Christianity, the period of Advent leading up to Christmas was marked by fasting and penance. Christmas Eve was the final day of this preparation, often culminating in a feast at midnight. The tradition of singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve began in Europe during the medieval period, often as part of religious celebrations.
After the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, Christmas Eve observances varied among denominations. Some Protestant groups continued traditions such as Midnight Mass, while others emphasized home-based celebrations and readings of the Nativity story.
The 19th century saw a revival and formalization of Christmas Eve customs, particularly in Europe and the United States, influenced by Victorian values and traditions such as Christmas Trees, Gift Exchanges and Santa Claus. Many Christian denominations continue to hold special services on Christmas Eve, including Midnight Mass in Catholic and some Protestant traditions.
What Do People Do on This Day?
On Christmas Eve, people around the world engage in a variety of traditions and activities, blending religious observances with cultural and familial customs.
Many Christians attend Midnight Mass or other evening church services to commemorate the birth of Jesus. This is a deeply spiritual time for reflection, prayer, and celebration. In some denominations, candlelight services are held, featuring hymns, scripture readings, and the lighting of candles to symbolize hope and the arrival of Christ.
Families or churches light the final candle of the Advent wreath, symbolizing the completion of the period of anticipation leading up to Christmas. Many families spend Christmas Eve finishing their holiday decorations, including putting the final touches on the Christmas tree, hanging stockings, and placing lights around the house.
In many countries, Christmas Eve is the time for exchanging gifts, especially in Europe and Latin America. Children prepare for Santa Claus by leaving out milk, cookies, and sometimes carrots for his reindeer.
Many families gather for a Christmas Eve dinner, however, the dinner varies widely by culture. At the same time, many people take part in acts of charity, such as donating food, volunteering at shelters, or giving to those in need.
