The 34th edition of the Círio de Nazaré, organized by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré in the Cohatrac neighborhood of São Luís, will take place between October 8 and 18. This religious event will feature masses, processions, pilgrimages, and journeys, gathering devotees from various parts of Maranhão.
This year, the Círio adopts the theme 'Sanctuary of Light' and the motto 'Receive the Holy Spirit' (John 20:22). Although the main focus is in October, preparatory activities began in September and will continue for approximately 50 days.
Among the most highlighted events are the Children's Círio, the Foot Pilgrimage, the Maritime Pilgrimage, and the final processions.
The Children's Círio is scheduled for October 2 to 4, with daily masses at 6 PM and a cultural performance by the group Vozes de Nazaré.
The Foot Pilgrimage will take place on October 10. The gathering point will be the Church of Carmo, located in the Center of São Luís, with departure scheduled for 11 PM.
The Maritime Pilgrimage is marked for October 12, with the meeting point at Praia Grande area, also in the Center, at 7 AM.
On October 17, there will be the Procession of Light and the transfer of the image. The schedule begins at 5 PM, with a mass at the Nossa Senhora de Nazaré Square, in front of the Sanctuary, in Cohatrac. After this act, the faithful will proceed in a luminous procession to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, located in Cohab.
The closing of the Círio will occur on October 18. The gathering will be at 4:30 PM at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, and the procession will start at 5 PM, with its final destination being the Nazaré Sanctuary, in Cohatrac. There, the closing mass will be celebrated, presided over by the Archbishop of São Luís, Dom Gilberto Pastana.
Highlights include: from October 2 to 4, the Children's Círio, with masses at 6 PM and a cultural presentation; on October 10, the Foot Pilgrimage, gathering at the Church of Carmo with departure at 11 PM; on October 12, the Maritime Pilgrimage, with gathering at Praia Grande at 7 AM; on October 17, the Procession of Light and image transfer starting at 5 PM; and on October 18, the closing procession at 5 PM, followed by mass at the Nazaré Sanctuary.
Preparation for the Círio precedes the main schedule. During September, pilgrimages are held that include meetings in families, institutions, hospitals, schools, and other municipalities in Maranhão. Additionally, masses are held in the streets and squares of Cohatrac. Throughout the approximately 50 days of events, participants have access to Eucharistic celebrations, confessions, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Bernadete Pacheco, a parishioner who follows the family pilgrimages, described the event as 'a true spiritual retreat, which takes place here in Cohatrac.' According to the organization, about 800 lay men and women volunteer in the preparation and execution of the Círio, divided into 17 service teams, such as the Círio Commission, Support, Liturgy, Decoration, Pilgrimage, Guard, Communication, Largo, and Children's Círio Commission.
Beyond its religious relevance, the Círio de Nazaré is recognized as a cultural manifestation. Since 2019, it has been classified as Cultural and Intangible Heritage of the State of Maranhão, according to Law No. 11.127/2019. In 2024, it also received recognition by federal law as a Manifestation of National Culture. The program covers other initiatives, such as the Solidarity Círio, Ecological Círio, Sports Círio, and Cultural Círio. The official launch of the Círio took place on June 28, the anniversary of the parish's founding, the moment from which volunteers began preparations for the current edition.