Celebrates Brazil's patron saint on October 12th, also observed as Children's Day. Thousands of pilgrims travel to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in São Paulo state — one of the world's largest Marian shrines — for masses and processions. The small clay statue of the Virgin Mary, found by fishermen in 1717, is venerated as a symbol of national faith and protection across this deeply Catholic country.
