Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-04-03
A BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL.
How y Miracle Performed Long Ago
Celebrated At the Present Day.

How y Miracle Performed Long Ago IL
Celebrated at the Present Day.
Among the numerous churches In
the City of Para Is ono called Nazareth
Chapel, dedicated to Mary, tho patron
saint OF the country, whose image Is
said to have been found in tree on the
spot where the building now stands,
"Our Lady's" method OF indicating her
choice Of this place for the erection Of
this chapel.
Our Lady OF Nazareth is also remark
able for miracle performed In the elev-
enth century, whom the devil in the form
OF n deer was leading n noble hunter
over a precipice. Every year there is
grand festival in her honor; the City
OF Para Is thronged with visitors from
towns 800 or 400 miles away. The fes-
tival or fiesta, begins with great cheer
ing, combined with religious hallelu-
jahs, which are the characteristics OF n
feast day In Brazil, and procession on
Sunday In which nearly G,000 partici-
pate; great enthusiasm prevails as they
fall into line, marching. with heads and
feet bare, in the scorching sun and stiff
ling dust. There are hundreds OF
small boys, followed by box wagon
that are loaded with rockets, that are
fred at every crossing; then there are
little boats filed with dainty child an
gels with spangled dresses and gauze
wings, carried on the heads OF strong
men. But the greatest attraction to
these simple-minded people is the BE
linda" a small carriage in which Our
Lady rides. Our Lady is figure about
twelve inches in height, wearing white
satin cape embroidered with gold and a
golden crown. To this carriage two
long ropes are attached, and Ave hun
dred or more persons, mostly women,
rush and crowd, at times even quarrel
ing, for the privilege Of grasping the
rope and being near tho belinda, that
being the place OF honor. Numerous
bands, attended by red and green
coated brotherhoods, also the chief Off
GERS OF the city riding In their carriages
follow after the ''belinda;" then there
are thousands Of men, women and chill
dren, many OF them carrying high above
their heads some representation OF a
portion of the human body modelled In
wax, or it may be coffin carried on
the head. This is in obedience to a
vow made to Our Lady for their deliv-
GRANGE from tho distress in the particu-
lar member, sickness or death through
her Intervention. On reaching the
church these wax pieces arc deposited
in q room set apart for them, where
they are arranged about tho walls to
the best advantage; some tied with rib
bons, others decorated with bright
flowers or certificate bearing name and
date OF illness and cure.
Tho great square OF Para near by is
lined with booths where drinking and
gambling are carried on day and night.
Tho entire grounds are gay with nags
and transparencies, and illuminated
with gas jets prettily arranged in arches
and circles. Every night thorc Is a
grand display Of fireworks, while music,
dances and theaters, with, for the most
part, very poor actors, attract the pub
lie, especially on Sunday evening, and
for two weeks the city is given over to
universal enjoyment d. d. Har-
ger, is Detroit Free Press.