The Festival of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross took place from September 11 to 14 in Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália, in Bahia, bringing together religious and cultural activities related to the memory of the First Mass in Brazil and the participation of indigenous peoples in the country's history. The event was organized by the Brazil with Faith Movement, by the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, and by the Redemptor Institute.
The program began with a symposium on religious tourism in Porto Seguro, which discussed the potential of the Discovery Coast for the segment, the historical significance of the First Mass, and the presence of indigenous peoples in the formation of Brazil. In Coroa Vermelha, a site associated with the first mass celebrated on April 26, 1500, there was a religious celebration and screening of the documentary "Land of the Holy Cross."
On September 13, a motorcade departed from the Church of Our Lady of Pena in Porto Seguro's Historic Center and headed to the First Mass Marker. The activities concluded on September 14 with a mass at Santa Cruz Chapel, followed by a procession and celebration at the Mother Church.
On the same day, September 14, the documentary "Land of the Holy Cross" premiered on Globoplay. The work follows a pilgrimage carried out in 2025, in which the cross related to the First Mass traveled for 15 days through more than 20 cities in Portugal and Brazil. The film is narrated from the perspectives of Father Omar and indigenous Pataxó Wilza Neves. The premiere screening took place on September 15 at Kinoplex São Luiz in Rio de Janeiro.
