The Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, will be the destination of a group of Catholic pilgrims leaving the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, in the countryside of São Paulo, on April 6. The devotees intend to inaugurate a pilgrimage route, which has almost 500 kilometers and crosses 21 municipalities, by bicycle. They expect to arrive in the capital of Rio de Janeiro seven days later, on April 13.
Polish priest Cristóvão Sopick, responsible for the project, explains that the route, which has the support of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, can also be traveled on foot. In this case, pilgrims will walk for 16 days. The route, which will include celebrations of masses at each stop, travels through the same places along the route that links a church in the Western Zone of Rio to the Sanctuary of Aparecida.
Professional cyclist, the priest has participated in national and international competitions, and is four times Brazilian champion of Team MTB 12 Hours, Brazil’s most traditional long duration team relay mountain bike tournament. According to him, the new route may heat the economy of countryside municipalities: “There is a possibility of turning abandoned houses and farms into hostels and shelters for pilgrims and tourists”.
With arms open over the Guanabara Bay, the Christ the Redeemer, sitting atop the Corcovado Hill, is one of the most sought-after tourist spots in Brazil. World’s biggest and most famous art deco sculpture, the Christ the Redeemer is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The city view from the top is breathtaking. In addition to visiting the Christ and its chapel, visitors can also explore the Tijuca Forest.
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