State Government offers strategic support points to the pilgrims of Círio de Nazaré
The focus is to ensure that the devotees experience their faith safely and with care during the processions
Hydration, food, guidance, and medical assistance points will be offered to the pilgrims and promise-makers at strategic locations by the State Government during the pilgrimages and processions that are part of one of the largest religious manifestations in the world, Círio de Nazaré. The mobilization of state agencies is part of the traditional Círio Operation.
The health services, coordinated by the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), involve more than 500 professionals and will begin on October 7, during the Walk "Caminhos de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré", which assists pilgrims traveling along BR-316, Alça Viária, Rodovia de Mosqueiro, and Santo Antônio do Tauá. This year, there will be 14 service points operating 24 hours a day, equipped with stretchers, medical supplies, dressings, and ambulances for urgent transport.
During the Trasladação and Círio processions, 10 fixed Sespa service points will be installed on Nazaré and Presidente Vargas avenues, equipped for immediate care. The multidisciplinary teams consist of doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff, with the support of ambulances from Sespa, Samu, the Fire Department, and affiliated institutions. For the other pilgrimages, the department will provide mobile teams.
Starting Friday (10), the Metropolitan Hospital for Urgency and Emergency (HMUE) will provide a support point for pilgrims traveling along BR-316 towards the major processions of Círio de Nazaré. From 5 a.m., health professionals and residents will be on standby to offer multidisciplinary care, with free services including massages, blood pressure checks, cleaning and dressings, as well as breakfast distribution.
Along Almirante Barroso Avenue in Belém, the Institute of Health Assistance for State Servants of Pará (Iasep) and the ParáPaz Foundation will also set up support points. "Supporting the promise-makers is of great importance, as many walk long distances on foot or in physical conditions that require specialized monitoring, especially during major mobilizations like Círio de Nazaré," emphasizes Josynélia Tavares Raiol, president of Iasep.
The Institute will be mobilized in front of its headquarters in the Marco neighborhood to assist the pilgrims participating in the Transfer of the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Nazaré, which will take place on Friday (10) between Belém and Ananindeua. The support point will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will also welcome pilgrims who fulfill their promises by walking from their municipalities to the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazaré. The focus is to ensure that the devotees experience their faith safely and with care.
The space provided by ParáPaz will operate on the sidewalk in front of the Integrated Center for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIIC), located at Almirante Barroso Avenue, No. 1765, Marco neighborhood, from October 8 to 10, in 24-hour shifts. “Welcoming pilgrims who arrive tired after so many hours of walking reaffirms the Foundation's commitment to care, respect, and love for others. Our volunteer staff is dedicated to providing not only physical support but also listening, affection, and encouragement,” highlights Alberto Teixeira, president of ParáPaz.
Seplad - During the pilgrimage of the Transfer to Ananindeua-Marituba, the Planning and Administration Secretariat (Seplad) will organize a support point at its headquarters, located at Travessa do Chaco, No. 2350, also in the Marco neighborhood in Belém, which will operate from 7 p.m. on October 9 until October 10. A total of 30 volunteers have signed up to participate in the action, which will be carried out in four work shifts, providing water and complete coffee, food, chairs for resting, and foot washing for the pilgrims, as a way to welcome and clean the feet of those who spend long hours walking.
Red Cross – The space of the Economic Development Company of Pará (Codec), located at Avenida Nazaré, No. 1298, the street where the two main processions of Círio de Nazaré pass, will be one of the support points of the Brazilian Red Cross – Pará branch during the festival program.
The initiative guarantees humanitarian support to the devotees participating in the celebrations and strengthens the network of solidarity that symbolizes Círio de Nazaré.
“Círio is more than a religious celebration; it is the meeting of the people of Pará with their faith, their history, and their solidarity. For us at Codec, being able to open our doors for actions that unite faith, culture, and social responsibility is a great joy. These partnerships represent how it is possible to transform devotion into concrete gestures of care and unity,” celebrates Codec president Lutfala Bitar.
Security - The Public Security System operates in an integrated manner across all 28 events related to the Círio de Nazaré 2025 festivities. About 60 military police officers and 26 vehicles are distributed along the official routes, where the 28 service points for pilgrims are located, in order to prevent any criminal activity and provide prompt security assistance.
"We work in partnership with health, traffic, and municipal and federal security agencies to ensure that everyone can experience this faith journey in a safe and welcoming environment. We emphasize the importance of community and pilgrims' collaboration in case of any suspicious situation or emergency along the route, to call 190 and alert Ciop, so we can respond quickly from the nearest vehicle,” informs Ualame Machado, secretary of the State Department of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup).
