Portugal – A pilgrimage to the places of Blessed Alexandrina da Costa
Balasar, Portugal – October 2023 – In recent days, in view of the Liturgical Feast of Blessed Alexandrina from Costa, the Salesian Cooperators from Arouca have organised a pilgrimage to Balasar, with the aim of learning more about the life and places where Blessed Alexandrina lived, a Salesian Cooperator beatified on 25 April 2004 by Pope John Paul II. A total of 64 people joined the pilgrimage, coordinated by Salesian Cooperator Maria Rita Scrimieri, who welcomed those present, explaining the various aspects of the mystical life of Alexandrina da Costa. The pilgrimage took the participants to the house where the Blessed lived and died, on 13 October 1955, and to other significant places such as the Holy Cross Chapel and the parish cemetery where Alexandrina was buried. The pilgrimage ended with the Eucharistic celebration, at which the Parish Priest of Balasar, Fr Manuel Neiva was main celebrant.