"Miss Universe" contestant appears in costume of Our Lady of Aparecida icon
Photo: on the left - the icon of Our Lady of Aparecida, on the right - Maria Gabriela Lacerda. Photo: UOJ
Maria Gabriela Lacerda, Brazil’s Miss Universe 2025 contestant, appeared at the finals held on November 21 wearing a costume resembling the one depicted in the icon of Our Lady of Aparecida — a highly venerated image in Brazil, honored as the country’s patroness.
The 22-year-old Lacerda did not make it to the top 12 participants, but attracted public attention precisely with her image.
On her Instagram page, she explained her costume choice: "On this stage, I am wearing more than just a costume: I carry the history, the faith, and the identity of our people. Every detail of this traditional outfit is a tribute to Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida — Ed.), the Patroness of Brazil, whose light passes through generations and symbolizes resilience."
On her page, Lacerda states that she is Catholic. In addition, she is an ambassador for the charitable organization Mães da Sé, which has been helping families search for missing relatives since 1996.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Germany, an RCC priest held a Halloween service dressed as Dracula.
Read also
Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus
A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness.
In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed
In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.
Finnish MP urges EU to repeal law banning criticism of LGBT
Päivi Räsänen stated that the "hate speech" law in Europe serves as a means for censorship.
Displaced children from Dnipro baptized at orphanage in Mukachevo
A priest of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC performed the baptism of children from the "Barvinok" orphanage.
During Holy Week, Catholics celebrate Mass at Holy Sepulchre without believers
The RCC bishop, who was previously barred by police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was nevertheless allowed to conduct a service there on Thursday.
UGCC calls murder of TRC employee "particularly grave sin"
UGCC cleric Yustin Boyko emphasized that hatred against TRC employees is being artificially incited on social media.