Our Lady of the Light of the Pinhais

Marian Invocation of Curitiba (Paraná)

La advocación de Our Lady of Light of the Pinhais (Nuestra Señora de la Luz de los Pinhais) is closely linked to the historical origin of Curitiba, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and is the main patron of the city and of the archdiocese of Curitiba. This fact sheet refers to this advocation as it is venerated in Curitiba (Paraná, Brazil); it is not known that there is a Marian advocation with this same title linked to a town called Curitiba in Colombia, so the reference to "department of Paraná, Colombia" does not correspond to the known historical or ecclesial reality.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of Light of the Pinhais (Nuestra Señora de la Luz de los Pinhais) is closely linked to the historical origin of Curitiba, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and is the main patron of the city and of the archdiocese of Curitiba. This fact sheet refers to this advocation as it is venerated in Curitiba (Paraná, Brazil); it is not known that there is a Marian advocation with this same title linked to a town called Curitiba in Colombia, so the reference to "department of Paraná, Colombia" does not correspond to the known historical or ecclesial reality.

### Tradition and legend

According to the tradition collected in local sources, the city of Curitiba was reportedly started around a chapel where the "Mother of Light" was venerated by its numerous miracles. It is said that, in the second half of the 17th century, in the region of the "Pinhais" (by the typical araucaria pinars of the area), a small population emerged in which the Scouts of the sertão raised a hermitage dedicated to the Lady of Light. This Villa of Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais is considered the germ of the city and marks the beginning of Marian devotion under this title.

♪ documented history ♪

From the documented point of view, it is known that In 1668 a small wooden church was built on the site where today is the historic center of Curitiba, dedicated to Our Lady of Light and the Good Jesus. This primitive church gave way to successive temples until it reached the present Cathedral Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Light of the Pinhaiswhich is today the cathedral of the archdiocese of Curitiba and the main center of devotion to this advocation. Over time, the city was known as Our Lady of Light and Good Jesús dos Pinhais, raised to villa in 1693, which confirms the intimate relationship between the civil foundation of the city and the Marian sponsorship of the Lady of the Light of the Pinhais.

The image and the sanctuary

♪ ♪ The image

Ecclesial sources point to the existence of a historical image of Our Lady of Light, brought to the region that today is Curitiba in the mid-17th century. According to historians cited by the Catholic press, this was a image of Mary Most Holy who accompanied the process of occupation and evangelization of the area and who was enthroned in the Cathedral of Curitiba as a memory of the origins of devotion. However, the sources consulted do not accurately describe the type, material or detalles iconográficos (for example, if it is a full-size image, to dress, if it carries the Child or specific symbols of the "Light"); therefore, no consta a detailed iconographic description is documented.

### The sanctuary / temple

The main seat of devotion is the Cathedral Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Light of the Pinhaislocated in the historic centre of Curitiba.

Essential data of the temple:

– Official name: Catedral Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais. – Ecclesial range: Es la cathedral of the archdiocese of Curitiba and has the title of minor basilica. – Style and features: The tourist and cultural descriptions present it as a temple of neoGothic stylewith high towers and rich interior ornament, considered a building of historical and cultural importance para la ciudad. – Liturgical life: It works as the mother church of the archdiocese, with extensive opening hours and celebration of the Eucharist throughout the week, also being a reference point for visitors and pilgrims.

The Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais posesa the specific title of "national sanctuary"; it is rather the cathedral and lower archdiocesan basilica, main Marian center of Curitiba.

Sponsorship and coronation

# Patronage

Our Lady of Light of the Pinhais es:

– Main patron of Curitiba. – The title and patron of the archdiocese of Curitiba.

This invocation is considered one of the main Marian symbols of the city, inspiring the religious and even cultural identity of Curitiba, which is historically recognized under the protection of the "Lady of Light."

It is not found in the consulted sources that this advocation has a national ownership in Brazil; its patronage is essentially municipal and archdiocesan.

# # Canonical coronation

In available sources (Wikipedia, Catholic media and divulgative references) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, no year, decree or responsible pontifical delegate are cited. Therefore, following the requested approach: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Light of the Pinhais is celebrated September 8, the date indicated each year by the archdiocese and the city of Curitiba as the day of its patron.

Celebrations and pilgrimages

La Catedral Basílica organizes intensive programming around this date:

– Triduum preparatory del 5 al 7 de septiembre, con celebraciones eucarísticas, momentos de oración y actividades pastorales. – El día 8 de septiembre se celebran Laude and several Mass (por la mañana y primeras horas de la tarde), concluyendo con una Misa vespertina solemne. – Se realiza un rosary in honor of Our Lady of the Light of the Pinhais (en algunos años, en el Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, con participación de los fieles). – Tiene lugar una procession que sale del Santuario de Guadalupe y se dirige a la Catedral Basílica, expresión pública de la devoción mariana en la ciudad. – En la Misa principal se ha realizado la consecration of the archdiocese a Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, a gesture that emphasizes his role as patron and spiritual protector of the local Church.

Although no exact attendance figures are provided, the chronicles speak of "intense" programming and already "classic" traditions, which indicates a Significant and consolidated flow of the city and the archdiocese.

# # Devotional traits

Among the identifiable features of devotion are:

– La percepción de María como "Light" that guides and protects the people's walk desde los orígenes de la ciudad. – La memoria de ‘innumerables milagros’ atribuidos tradicionalmente a la intercesión de la “Madre de la Luz”, que habría alentado la construcción de capillas y ermitas en su honor. – La fuerte identification between the urban history of Curitiba and the presence of this advocationto the point that the same historical name of the villa included the reference to Nossa Senhora da Luz.

Link to the Rosary

The recent sources on the patron party explicitly mention the holding of a rosary in honor of Our Lady of the Light of the Pinhais within the official programme of 8 September. In 2015, for example, the "rosary of Our Lady of Light of the Pinhais" was scheduled in the middle of the afternoon, before the procession to the Cathedral, thus integrating the prayer of the Rosary into the heart of the patronal solemnity.

Other than these specific references, no consta in the sources consulted a