The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, in Tatuí, Sao Paulo, (Brazil), elevated by Pope Francis the title of Minor Basilica within the framework of the Jubilee Year for the 200 years of the Church in Tatuí.
Fr. Élcio Roberto de Góes, the rector of the sanctuary, announced the news on social networks, received the decree from the Holy See. The installation Mass of the new minor basilica will be on 21 April.
“We are a basilica, let us glorify God for this step in our history, in this jubilee time, of celebration, of joy, of celebrating our history. Praised be God”, said Fr. Góes on 10 January.
Fr. Góes said that the title granted by Pope Francis strengthens “more and more our bond with the Church of Rome, bringing for us also a great demand to be a reference in the liturgical and pastoral life of the Church, especially here, in our diocese of Itapetininga”.
“Certainly, we will pray that from here we can obtain many graces and blessings from heaven for our city, for our diocese, for the entire Church of God,” he added.
In addition, he pointed out that the elevation to a minor basilica was requested to bring the historical, religious value and beauty of the Marian sanctuary to the city of Tatuí. “This church has such an important meaning for the history of this city”, which celebrates “200 years of presence”.