On Thursday, 1 February, beginning his first day in the city of the Servant of God Father Cícero Romão Batista (1844-1934), the Rector Major first went early in the morning to the São João Bosco school where he was welcomed by students and staff at the school.

He then reached the Garden of Father Cicero, where he visited the statue of the "Patriarch of the Northeast" – as the Servant of God is often called  – and the Living Museum dedicated to him, with objects and memorabilia that testify to his faith and the affection and devotion of many people in his regard. Also in the morning, he visited Father Cicero's tomb in the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. There he greeted the visiting pilgrims, knelt in prayer before the priest's tomb, imparted a blessing and addressed the pilgrims. “I am very happy to be here and to participate in the pilgrimage for the first time, my second visit to Juazeiro. What we must do is continue to ask the Lord God to accompany and increase our faith, with the help and intercession of the Servant of God, Father Cicero", exclaimed the Rector Major. Finally, to conclude the morning program, there was also a brief visit to the Padre Cícero Casa Museo .

In the afternoon, at 4 pm, the Superior General of the Salesian Congregation attended a press conference in which he answered many questions from the media, interested in his visit and his service. The appointment with media and journalists, in addition to the Rector Major, was attended by Bishop Magnus Henrique, OFM.Cap, bishop of Crato; Fr. Francisco Inácio Vieira, Superior of the St Aloysius Gonzaga Province of Brazil-Recife (BRE); his Vice-Provincial, Fr João Carlos Ribeiro, and other Salesians. In total, over 15 media representatives were at the press conference, and they were able to interact directly with the speakers.

At the end of the long day, Cardinal Fernández Artime celebrated Mass in the Square of the Basilica  and Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows. In the homily, he told the people of God that he had had "the opportunity to tell the Holy Father, Pope Francis, that I would be here in Juazeiro do Norte to celebrate the faith together with you, also in remembrance of the figure of the Servant of God, Father Cicero, and to participate in the pilgrimage. And I think it's very nice for all of us to know that the Holy Father is aware of what we are experiencing here now” the Rector Major said.

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