BRAZIL, Fr. Argemiro Ferracioli and Marisa and Rubem Bolzan. With more than 200 people participating, on November 24th, the Blue Chapel of the Mother and Queen of the Villa Noble de la Caridade (noble village of charity) in Cerrito, Santa María was reopened. It was completely restored with donations from the community devoted to the Servant of God, Joao Luiz Pozzobon.
At 9 A.M., the procession began from the Mother Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, taking the image of the Mother and Queen, which Don Joao enthroned in the chapel. We went by the Tabor Shrine and were joined there by people who were waiting with the Crucifix that was also restored and is from the Joao Pozzobon era.
In front of the chapel, we had the Mass where Fr. José Airton Dallazen, our pastor, presided. Shortly thereafter the blessing of the new chapel, painted blue as Don Joao would have wanted, occurred. The benefactors were given a wooden relic belonging to the old chapel of Don Joao’s era; a poster indicating the chapel was unveiled. The sash at the entrance was loosened, and the image of the Blessed Mother was placed anew on her throne. After the consecration, there was a fireworks display. The chapel’s bell pealed. It is a piece of a rail that Don Joao used to call the people.
History of the Blue Chapel
The Blue Chapel in the Villa Noble de la Caridad had its beginnings in July of 1952, during a visit by Don Joao Luiz Pozzobon when he brought the Blessed Mother to the families in Cerrito. Don Joao arrived with the image of the Pilgrim Virgin destined to a particular family. The family opted for spending the night in the place where the goats were kept so they could make room for the Image of the Pilgrim Virgin to remain within the house. Knowing this, Don Joao had the inspiration and resolved to house the Blessed Mother in a small chapel, foreseeing that she desired the construction of a chapel made with wood and grasses from the area.
The construction of the chapel made of grass, later the Blue Chapel, began on December 10, 1952, and was completed on December 23rd of the same year. The inauguration took place on December 25, 1952. Don Joao chose the color blue , not only for Mary’s mantle, but also as a symbol signifying refuge.
After more than sixty years of a great deal of life, the Chapel needed to be rebuilt since it is a place visited by many pilgrims who follow the footsteps of the Servant of God, Don Joao Luiz Pozzobon.
English translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 12182013
