São José do Ribamar, Maranhão (MA)
The city of São José de Ribamar is located 32 km east of São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão. It all started with a legend: a ship from Portugal was in immediate danger at the coast of what is now São José de Ribamar. The desperate crew prayed hard to Saint Joseph, patron saint of travelers. They made a promise to construct a chapel at the site if they would survive the tempest. Almost immediately, the sea became calm again. The crew fulfilled their promise and constructed a chapel on the island of São Luís. They brought a statue of St. Joseph from Lisbon, and placed in the little church, face seaward. The residents of the settlement were thinking that the statue should belong to a hermit, and brought it to him. The next day, the statue was gone, and was found again in the little chapel. The residents returned the statue to the hermit again, and left some people behind to keep an eye on the statue. St. Joseph moved himself, his staff becoming a light beacon, back to the little chapel, accompanied by the saints and angels. Since 1757, three churches had been constructed at the site, facing landward. It still remains a mystery that these churches quickly became ruins. The actual church was constructed, facing seaward, in 1915. And survived. In front of this church, now landmark of the city, are eight statues that show moments of life of St. Joseph. Next to the church is a ‘Casa dos Milagres’, the ‘House of Wonders’, where believers pray and leave notes in the hope to have the prayers fulfilled. Close to the church, a 17.5-meter high statue of St. Joseph and his Son (Jesus) overlooks the city and the beach.
The original picture was taken in July 2007.
Click HERE for general information about SÃO LUÍS,
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