Support point of the government of Pará offered comfort and care to the pilgrims
Voluntary servers ensured reception, food, and care for the pilgrims who arrived in Belém on foot for the celebrations of the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
During the celebrations of the Círio de Nazaré, the government of Pará, through the ParáPaz Foundation, set up a support point on Almirante Barroso Avenue to welcome the pilgrims who arrived in Belém walking to fulfill promises and renew their faith. The space, prepared with great care, operated 24 hours a day from October 8 to 10, offering water, fruits, coffee, snacks, massages, and bandages to the pilgrims.
The structure was designed to ensure comfort and reception for the thousands of devotees who traveled long distances. Voluntary servers from the ParáPaz Foundation joined day and night to assist those who arrived exhausted from the road. Many pilgrims stopped to rest and took the moment to share their stories.
From Capanema, about 160 kilometers from the capital, Valentina Mesquita, 45, and her husband, João Mesquita, 59, walked for the first time. They left on Sunday (5) with a group of 165 people and arrived in Belém after days of walking and few hours of sleep.
“It’s a promise of health and gratitude. At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but a great strength comes that makes our faith even greater,” Valentina said while receiving care at the support point.
Another story of gratitude came from Célia Naziazeno, 42, who was walking with her family from Augusto Montenegro Avenue. She dedicated each step to the recovery of her parents.
“I have been walking for four years, but this year is even more special. My mother had a heart attack in June and was hospitalized for a month. The doctors said she might not survive, but today she is home, healthy. When we left, she said goodbye, and I cried with emotion,” she reported, holding a wax heart as a form of gratitude.
Among the devotees who stopped at the ParáPaz point was little Carlos Henrique Lima, 10, accompanied by his mother, Paula de Lima, 29. They came from Santa Izabel, leaving at 4 PM and arriving in the capital around 2 AM.
“I came to accompany my mother, and it’s very special to experience this with her. Since I was little, I saw her leaving home, and this time I participated,” the boy said.
Paula, who has been making the journey for 18 years, said this year was more special because she was accompanied by her son and that, despite the fatigue and worry, the feeling was very special to share with him what she has experienced for a long time. “Arriving at the Basilica makes everything make sense,” she summarized.
Also resting at the site, Lana Célia, 37, and her husband, Neto Gomes, came from Igarapé-Açu to give thanks for the health of their 11-year-old son, who suffers from seizures. Last year, she had to interrupt the walk in Benevides due to foot injuries. This time, she was determined to reach the end and meet her son.
“I promised I would come back, and here I am, fulfilling my promise. Our son is waiting for us at the Basilica to go home together,” she said.
Among the pilgrims was also José Raimundo Silva, 53, who left Castanhal with a group of friends. After long hours of walking, he found a moment of pause and welcome at the ParáPaz tent.
“When I stopped here, I was already out of strength. The people at the tent offered me food, water, changed my bandage on my injured feet, and even gave me fruit to take on the way. This simple gesture makes all the difference. I received a massage, stretched my body. We feel cared for, as if someone is waiting for us in the middle of the road,” he said.
