Brazil—6

This blog will discuss seven Catholic provinces in Brazil’s civil states of Bahia, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and Sergipe in eastern Brazil.

Please see my previous blogs on Brazil:

• Brazil 1 published on September 6, 2019
• Brazil 2 published on September 9, 2019
• Brazil 3 published on September 1, 2020
• Brazil 4 published on September 8, 2020
• Brazil 5 published on September 1, 2021

Province of Sao Salvador da Bahia

The province consists of the eastern portion of the civil state of Bahia.  The Diocese of Sao Salvador da Bahia de Totos os Santos was created in 1551 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Sao Salvador da Bahia in 1676.  

The Cathedral Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Salvador was built by the Jesuits between 1657 and 1672.  The two bell towers were not completed until 1694 and the façade was not finalized until 1746.  The building became a diocesan church after the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil in 1759.  The church became the Cathedral for the Archdiocese in 1933 after the previous 16th Century cathedral was demolished.  The Cathedral was built in the Mannerist style and has two bell towers.  The façade is made of lioz stone from Portugal and has statues of Jesuit saints.  The interior is also lined with lioz stone and has several chapels.  The chapels reflect different time periods and architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Mannerist.  The late 17th Century sacristy is lined with jacaranda wood and has baroque furniture and several paintings.  Pope Pius XI named it a minor basilica in 1922.

Pictures are from Wikipedia, local sources, and from the Archdiocesan website.

The Province has eight suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ilheus was created in 1913.
• The Diocese of Amargosa was created in 1941.
• The Diocese of Teixeira de Freitas-Caravelas was created in 1962.
• The Diocese of Alagoinhas was created in 1974.
• The Diocese of Itabuna was created in 1978.
• The Diocese of Eunapolis was created in 1996.
• The Diocese of Camacari was created in 2010.
• The Diocese of Cruz das Almas was created in 2017.

Province of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro

The province consists of the southwestern portion of the civil state of Rio de Janeiro.  Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro was established as a territorial prelature in 1575, became a diocese in 1676, and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1892.  

The Cathedral of St. Sabastian in Rio de Janeiro was built in a modern style between 1964 and 1979 and is based on Mayan architecture.  The Cathedral is 246 feet high and can seat 5,000—standing room capacity is 20,000.  It covers 86,000 square feet and is the largest cathedral in South America.  Four rectilinear stained glass windows are 210 feet from floor to ceiling.  

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Diocese of Barra do Pirai-Volta Redonda was created in 1922.
• The Diocese of Valenca in 1925.
• The Diocese of Nova Iguacu was created in 1960.
• The Diocese of Itaguai was created in 1980.
• The Diocese of Duque de Caxias was created in 1980.

Province of Vitoria

The province consists of the civil state of Espirito Santo.  The Diocese of Espirito Santo was created in 1895 and this became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vitoria in 1958.  

Our Lady of Victory Cathedral is in Vitoria and replaced an older cathedral.  Construction began on the current cathedral in 1920 and it was dedicated in 1933 although construction continued until the 1970s.

The first picture is from Wikipedia and the other two are from local websites.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim was created in 1958.
• The Diocese of Sao Mateus was created in 1958.
• The Diocese of Colatina was created in 1990.

Province of Niteroi

The province consists of the northeastern portion of the civil state of Rio de Janeiro.  The Diocese of Niteroi was created in 1892 and was promoted to metropolitan archdiocese in 1960.  

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Niteroi was built between 1842 and 1885 in a colonial style with two bell towers.  Internal decorations were completed in 1929 by an Italian artist.  A new cathedral designed by Oscar Niemeyer is under construction.

 

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Campos was created in 1922.
• The Diocese of Petropolis was created in 1946.
• The Diocese of Nova Friburgo was created in 1960.

Province of Aracaju

The province consists of the civil state of Sergipe.  The Diocese of Aracaju was created in 1910 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1960.  

Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral in Aracaju was built of stone between 1862 and 1875 using neo-classic and neo-gothic architectural styles.  The interior features extensive artwork done by Italian and local artists.  The cathedral has a central dome and two domed towers—the tower domes are covered with pebbles and sea shells.

Pictures are from the Archdiocesan website, Wikipedia, Mapio, and Pinterest.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Estancia was created in 1960.
• The Diocese of Propria was created in 1960.

Province of Feira de Santana

The province consists of the northwestern portion of the civil state of Bahia.  The Diocese of Feira de Santana was created in 1962 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 2002.  

Portions of St. Ann Cathedral in Feira de Santana date to 1732, but it was enlarged and renovated in the mid-19th Century.  The façade has three arched portals topped with windows and is flanked by two bell towers.  The Cathedral covers over 10,000 square feet.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has eight suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Barra was created in 1913.
• The Diocese of Bonfim was created in 1933.
• The Diocese of Ruy Barbosa was created in 1959.
• The Diocese of Juazeiro was created in 1962.
• The Diocese of Paulo Afonso was created in 1971.
• The Diocese of Irece was created in 1979.
• The Diocese of Barreiras was created in 1979.
• The Diocese of Serrinha was created in 2005.

Province of Vitoria da Conquista

The province consists of the southwestern portion of the civil state of Bahia.  The Diocese of Vitoria da Conquista was established in 1957 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 2002.  

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories in Vitoria da Conquista was built in a Neo-gothic style between 1932 and 1944.

Pictures are from Foursquare, TripAdvisor, and Wikipedia.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Caetite was created in 1913.
• The Diocese of Bom Jesus da Lapa was created in 1962.
• The Diocese of Livramento de Nossa Senhora was created in 1967.
• The Diocese of Jequie was created in 1978.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also missionary jurisdictions below the level of a diocese, such as territorial prelatures.

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica. 

Brazil—5

This blog will discuss seven Catholic provinces in Brazil’s civil state of Minas Gerais in east central Brazil.

Please see my previous blogs on Brazil:

• Brazil 1 published on September 6, 2019
• Brazil 2 published on September 9, 2019
• Brazil 3 published on September 1, 2020
• Brazil 4 published on September 8, 2020

Province of Mariana

The province consists of east central portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Mariana was created in 1745 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1906.  

The stone Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Mariana was built in the 18th Century.  It was designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1963.  The Cathedral’s architectural style is described as Portuguese mannerism with much of the rich décor employing Baroque or Rococo stylings.  There are a number of paintings, including on the ceiling and behind the main altar, as well as many wood carvings.  The pipe organ was donated by King Jose I of Portugal in 1753 and is either German or Portuguese in origin.  There are two bell towers.

Pictures are from Wikipedia and Pinterest.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Caratinga was created in 1915.
• The Diocese of Governador Valadares was created in 1956.
• The Diocese of Itabira-Fabriciano was created in 1965.

Province of Diamantina

The province consists of northeastern portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Diamantina was created in 1854 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1917.  

The Cathedral of St. Anthony in Diamantina was built between 1930 and 1940 to replace an 18th Century cathedral.

The top picture is from Wikipedia and the bottom picture is from TripAdvisor.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Aracuai was created in 1913.
• The Diocese of Teofilo Otoni was created in 1960.
• The Diocese of Almenara was created in 1981.
• The Diocese of Guanhaes was created in 1985.

Province of Belo Horizonte

The province consists of central portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Belo Horizonte was created in 1921 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1924.  

Our Lady of Good Voyage Cathedral in Belo Horizonte was built between 1913 and 1932 in a Neo-gothic style.  The Cathedral has a statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage near the main altar.

Pictures are from Wikipedia and Pinterest.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Luz was created as the Diocese of Aterrado in 1918 and acquired its current name in 1960.
• The Diocese of Oliveira was created in 1941.
• The Diocese of Sete Lagoas was created in 1955.
• The Diocese of Divinopolis was created in 1958.

Province of Pouso Alegre

The province consists of southern portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Pouso Alegro was created in 1900 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1962.  

The Cathedral of the Good Jesus in Pouso Alegre was built between 1850 and 1857.

The first picture is from Wikipedia, the next two are from local blogs, and the last is from Panaramio.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Campanha was created in 1907.
• The Diocese of Guaxupe was created in 1916.

Province of Uberaba

The province consists of western portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Uberaba was established in 1907 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1962.  

Construction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Uberaba began in 1827, but it would not be completed until 1905.  Major renovations were done during the 1930s through the 1960s.  Two chapels were added and stained glass windows were installed, among other additions.  Originally there were two bell towers, but they were demolished and replaced by a single bell tower in 1899.  The bell tower has a Swiss clock. 

The first picture is from the Cathedral website and the others are from Pinterest.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Patos de Minas was created in 1955.
• The Diocese of Uberlandia was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of Ituiutaba was created in 1982.

Province of Juiz de Fora

The province consists of southeastern portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Juiz de Fora was created in 1924 and was promoted to metropolitan archdiocese in 1962.  

St. Anthony’s Cathedral is in Juiz de Fora.  The Cathedral started as an 18th Century chapel and became a parish in 1850.  A new church was built in 1866, which forms the nucleus of the current cathedral.  The building received a major renovation in 1924 and in the 1950s and 1960s, the Cathedral was given a dome and a Gothic look.  Other modifications have taken place subsequently.

The top picture is from Wikipedia, the next three from the archdiocesan website, and the last from Pinterest.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Leopoldina was created in 1942.
• The Diocese of Sao Joao del Rei was created in 1960.

Province of Montes Claros

The province consists of northwestern portion of the civil state of Minas Gerais.  The Diocese of Montes Claros was established in 1910 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 2001.  

Our Lady of Apparition Cathedral in Montes Claros was built between 1926 and 1950 in a Neo-Gothic style.  The cathedral has three steeples—the highest reaching 215 feet—and can hold 3,000 people.

Pictures are from Flickr, Panaramio, and Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Januaria was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Paracatu was created as a territorial prelature in 1929 and was promoted to a diocese in 1962.
• The Diocese of Janauba was created in 2000.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also missionary jurisdictions below the level of a diocese such as a territorial prelature.

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.