Balasar receives, on October 12 and 13, the celebrations of the 71st anniversary of the death of Beata Alexandrina Maria da Costa, which occurred on October 13, 1955. The community in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim is preparing for two days of festivities in honor of her who was linked to eucharistic spirituality and the offering of suffering to Christ.
The program includes, on Monday, October 12, at 9:00 PM, a candlelight procession between the house of Beata Alexandrina and the Shrine, followed by Eucharistic Adoration. On Tuesday, October 13, the Mass of the feast will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, the blessing of the sick, and the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as well as a celebration at 3:00 PM aimed at the Occupational Centers for the elderly, presided over by the rector of the Shrine, Monsignor Manuel Neiva.
This year's commemorations will have three particular intentions: to pray for peace in the world, to give thanks for the Shrine, and to ask for the canonization of Alexandrina Maria da Costa. The Beata was born in Balasar on March 30, 1904, and lived much of her life immobilized, after, at age 14, having thrown herself from a window to preserve her integrity against an attempted assault. She died at age 51 and was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in Rome on April 25, 2004.
