Since the arrival of the Augustinian Recollects in 1999, the premises of the Church of Guaraciaba, Ceará, Brazil, have undergone major remodeling. In the first decade of in this century, very important works were carried out in the church, such as the construction of a tower, the reform of the floor, of the presbytery and the interior decoration of the mother church. I also know Both the Pastoral Center and the Parish Center were built from a new plant. At home important works have also been undertaken by the religious.
In 2010, as the culmination of all these works, the church was decorated with some beautiful mosaics made by Mrs. Francisca Frota, resident in the city of Fortaleza, with the indications of fray Refugio González, parish priest at that time.
But in the beauty of the mother church, the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament stood out, negatively, with some old fabrics and some wood that was out of tune with the rest of the church, so it seemed advisable to undertake a thorough renovation of the chapel.
To continue with what already existed, contact was made with the aforementioned artist, so that she could present a mosaic project that, with more color, with another texture, would create what would be a beautiful conclusion of what was her work. After months of contacts, revisions… finally, in the first days of August, the mosaics with an extension of almost twenty-five square meters, which were blessed on the patron saint’s feast day on August 15.
The entire central wall is now a large mosaic that frames the fundamental element of the chapel, which is the tabernacle, although, on top of it there is a beautiful exhibitor, 1.40 meters high, bought in Mexico a few years ago, and which, covered by a curtain, allows expose and adore the Sacred Form at any time.
On the panel there are some figures that want to express the reality of the faithful before his Lord. So to the right two male figures appear, the two disciples of Emmaus who meeting the Lord, they heard his Word, they recognized him by breaking the bread and afterwards, they were missionaries announcing the Resurrection.
On the left are the sisters Marta and María, an expression of two moments in the life of the faithful follower of Christ: Marta is the service to her Lord and her brothers, and Mary is the one who listens and pays attention to the Master’s teachings.
Among them, in sacred conversation with the sisters, is the figure of Saint Augustine, recognizable for carrying the shepherd’s staff. On the right side of the chapel is the mosaic figure of the Good Shepherd, and on the left side, a beautiful mosaic background houses the only bulky figure in the chapel, the image of the patron saint, Our Lady of the Prazeres, which we can translate as Our Lady of the Joyful Mysteries, the Joys of Mary.
On the back wall, on a white background, appears the sign of the cross, with a phrase: “Come To me”. Below this panel, a mosaic contains the image of the Eucharistic Lamb. The floor, ceiling and walls of the chapel have been reformed, and some beautiful plaster arches, which give it a certain elegance. The painting, in various colors, also ennobles the place that helps recollection and prayer. some comfortable chairs have been placed and some stools to help in personal prayer.
The window that allows you to see the tabernacle from the outside has been reformed, but it has been kept as it is, because it has always been a tradition in Guaraciaba, and it was much more in the times of COVID, praying to the Lord from the window.
The tabernacle and the silver lamp that were taken to Fortaleza deserve a special mention so that they will be restored by specialists. The silver lamp has a special meaning in the city, since that a bishop of Sobral tried to take it to the diocesan museum of Sobral and the town of Guaraciaba took to the streets preventing the looting. All that history is well documented in the parish file, including the letter from the bishop trying to justify himself for the outrage what was intended to be committed.
The truth is that all the work was financially costly, and everything has been paid for with donations collected for the case. Everyone’s satisfaction has been great to be able to see the results.
