The 456th Festa da Penha unites thousands in Vila Velha with masses, pilgrimages, and a message of peace and hope inspired by Saint Francis.
Newsroom (09/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) The historic Festa da Penha, now in its 456th edition, began April 5 in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, carrying centuries of devotion and a renewed message of peace. Recently recognized as national cultural heritage, the celebration continues until Monday April 13, the holy day dedicated to Our Lady of Penha. The festival features around fifty masses and fourteen pilgrimages, transforming the coastal city into a living sanctuary of faith, music, and unity.
As the largest religious event in Espírito Santo and the third biggest Marian festival in Brazil—after the Círio de Nazaré in Belém and the Festa Nacional de Aparecida in São Paulo—the Festa da Penha stands as a beacon of spiritual tradition. In 2026, the chosen theme, “Make us instruments of peace,” resonates deeply with the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi, marking 800 years since his death. This theme, declared by Pope Leo XIV, invites the faithful to embody forgiveness, conversion, and harmony—virtues central to Franciscan spirituality.
According to the Penha Convent, the theme reflects “the Franciscan identity of the Penha Convent” and calls upon the community “to live a path of forgiveness, conversion, and building peace, under the intercession of Mary.”
Opening Mass: A Message of Hope
The opening mass, held yesterday afternoon at the Campinho of the Penha Convent, was presided over by Friar Daniel Dellandrea, the guardian of the convent. Thousands of faithful gathered for the first day of the Octave of the Feast—a sacred eight-day preparation culminating in the celebration of Our Lady of Penha.
In his homily, Friar Dellandrea proclaimed Easter’s central message: “Christ lives and our hearts are filled with hope.” He reminded worshipers that the Resurrection forms the cornerstone of faith, and that Our Lady of Penha rejoices with her risen Son, guiding believers toward a renewed encounter with Him.
“When all seemed lost, God speaks the final word, and that word is life—it is hope,” the friar said. He urged those present to embody the joy of resurrection, sharing hope with others who feel despair. “To rise again with Christ is to reorder one’s life based on the values of the Kingdom, such as justice, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.”
He concluded with a reflection on the modern world’s challenges: “In a world marked by despair, by troubled hearts, and by a feeling of insignificance in the face of such adverse realities, perhaps our greatest challenge today is this—to be a sign of hope.”
The first evening also featured the prayer of the Franciscan Crown of the Seven Joys of Our Lady, the blessing of objects brought by the faithful, the Pilgrimage of the Knights, and the lighting of the illuminated image of Our Lady of Penha on Praia da Costa beach.
“Lighting the illuminated image is a way of also lighting the light of faith in our hearts,” Friar Dellandrea said. “Every time we pass by this image, we may not have much time to contemplate it, but take advantage of it and pray a Hail Mary.”
A Tradition Carved in Light and Simplicity
One of the festival’s most cherished symbols is the Giant Rosary, a tradition that has endured for nearly three decades. Installed among the palm trees of the Campinho on the day before festivities officially began, the rosary was blessed by Friar Gabriel, Friar Felipe Medeiros Carretta, and Friar Paulo Cesar Ferreira da Silva. Together, they reminded those gathered that the rosary “is an invitation to contemplate the mysteries of Christ with the gaze of Mary, leading to the experience of faith, hope, and peace.”
The first Giant Rosary was created in 1998 by physician Osmar Sales, inspired by the monumental rosary unveiled during a mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Rio de Janeiro in 1997. Crafted with wooden beads made in Recife, the design intentionally evokes the simplicity and humility of the Franciscan habit.
“We want to recapture the simplicity of Francis. It is a rosary without excesses, with a very clear and profound symbolism,” Sales explained. The earthy tones of the wood serve as visual reminders of Franciscan ideals—poverty, simplicity, and gratitude for creation.
A Living Testament of Faith
Throughout the week, the city of Vila Velha becomes an embodiment of devotion, blending centuries-old tradition with contemporary meaning. The festival not only strengthens religious identity but also mirrors the enduring desire for peace and compassion in a turbulent world. Under the gaze of Our Lady of Penha and the inspiration of Saint Francis, thousands will continue to walk, pray, and sing—each step a testament that faith remains a light that neither time nor despair can dim.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Digital
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