On Aug. 30, the Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná state in southern Brazil will become the 36th diocese in the country to be consecrated to St. Michael the Archangel. The consecration will take place during the 20th diocesan pilgrimage with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Sergio de Deus Borges at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral.
The consecration of Brazilian dioceses to St. Michael the Archangel is part of the "Great Reconquest" initiative promoted by the Hesed Institute, a religious institute "dedicated to perpetual adoration and devotion to the blood of Christ, whose charism is to experience, live, and sing of God's mercy through prayer and humble, simple works that transform into powerful intercession."
The initiative began in July 2025 with the arrival in Brazil of the pilgrim statue of St. Michael from the shrine dedicated to the archangel on Monte Gargano in Italy, the site of the archangel's apparitions. To date, 35 Brazilian dioceses have been consecrated.
"Consecrating the diocese to the archangel aims to renew faith and seek spiritual protection against adversities," Borges explained on the Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu's website. The diocese noted that the consecration is in response to a request from the bishop.
Diocesan pilgrimage
The 20th diocesan pilgrimage aims "to bring the Catholic community together for a moment of faith and devotion to the Most Holy Mother of God," the Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu stated.
The event begins with a triduum Aug. 26–28 held across 30 parishes in 14 cities within the diocese.
On Aug. 29, the day the Church commemorates the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu, a Mass with the participation of the youth ministry will be celebrated at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish in downtown Foz.
On Aug. 30, the day of consecration, the program begins with a gathering at 7 a.m. at Mitre Square. At 7:30 a.m., pilgrims will walk in procession to the cathedral carrying the pilgrim images of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the cathedral's patron saint) and St. John the Baptist.
The Mass consecrating the Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu to St. Michael the Archangel will take place at 9:30 a.m.
Afterward, there will be the recitation of the rosary and confessions. The Mass for the Sick will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Starting at 3 p.m., the Hesed Institute will lead a time of praise, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the "Combat Rosary."
The Diocese of Foz do Iguaçu invited everyone to donate "clothing in good condition, nonperishable food, and personal hygiene and cleaning products for those in need.
This story was first published by ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
