page_title: Menina Izildinha
section_title: Veneration
hierarchical_section_title: Menina Izildinha / Veneration
caption_attribution_description: English: Mausoleum Menina Izildinha - Monte Alto, SP, Brazil
context_page_description: Menina Izildinha, Angel of the Lord or Saint Izildinha is the popular name of Maria Izilda de Castro Ribeiro, an unofficial popular saint to whom Brazilian Catholics have attributed inexplicable miracles, cures and healings.
context_section_description: The Sanctuary of Menina Izildinha (Portuguese: Santuario Menina Izildinha) located in Monte Alto, has become a center of faith and praise among the city inhabitants. Annually at the beginning of June (usually on the anniversary of Maria Izilda's birthday and lasting a few days), tens of thousands of devotees of Menina Izildinha make the pilgrimage to her mausoleum Monte Alto, where mass celebrations are organized to commemorate the birthday anniversary of Izildinha. The celebrations start with a procession in the city, saying novenas, praying the rosary, playing songs dedicated to Menina Izildinha and a feast whose income is directed to social works, charity institutions and orphanages.
  Though Menina Izildinha is not recognized nor officially canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, her devotees are not so concerned towards the Church's stance due to their great affection and demonstration towards Menina Izildinha; yet they desire that she be canonized a saint. Many members of the Catholic Church in Brazil have approved of the phenomenon as a saint and encouraged in practicing devotions to Menina Izildinha.
  Menina Izildinha is the patroness and the protector of young children and adolescents, as well as miraculously healing the sick from disease and to help people in poverty.
caption: Sanctuary of Menina Izildinha in Monte Alto
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