The Sacred Hearts Parish (Paróquia Sagrados Corações), located in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, celebrated the 90th anniversary of its canonical erection this May 31st.
In 1925, the first religious from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, arriving from the Netherlands, landed in Brazil, including the Blessed Father Eustáquio Van Lieshout.
On July 28, 1932, missionaries from Spain arrived. Archbishop Sebastião Leme, then Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, entrusted to them the Parish of Our Lady of Exile (Nossa Senhora do Desterro) in Campo Grande, and later the parishes of Oswaldo Cruz and Santa Rita de Turiassú.
However, Archbishop Sebastião Leme had promised them a parish in the Downtown area (Centro). The chosen neighborhood, however, was Tijuca. In 1934, the priests arrived and began searching for a location to house the future parish.
Initially, they rented a house, and later a larger one, until they finally found a plot of land on Conde de Bonfim Street, where they built a small chapel. During the feast of Pentecost on May 31, 1936, the Sacred Hearts Parish was established. Later, in 1941, the current church was consecrated; the main altar was consecrated by Bishop Helder Câmara, who also blessed the foundation stone of the Father Damien Social Work (Obra Social Padre Damião).
This community also housed the domestic workers' association, known as the "Zitas" group, which fought for the rights of domestic workers. It was the first parish in Rio de Janeiro to hold the Couples' Encounter with Christ (Encontro de Casais com Cristo). It is a parish that carries the charism of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts both within its walls and in its people's hearts.
The parish experienced its jubilee year with various social, spiritual, and cultural events. Among them was the performance by the Jeune Chœur du Conservatoire de Rouen (in English, Youth Choir of the Conservatory of Rouen). They held a concert and cultural exchange at the parish together with the Choir of the ACC (Associação de Canto Coral do Rio de Janeiro).
The crowning event of the jubilee year, the solemn anniversary Mass, was presided over by His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Célio Calixto, auxiliary bishop of Rio de Janeiro and episcopal vicar for the Tijuca Vicariate. It was concelebrated by Brothers João Henrique Mattos sscc and Silvano Dias de Ávila sscc from the Community, with the presence of Brother Douglas Santos sscc, who is currently on a mission in Paraguay.
A community in the process of renewal. Amid the challenges of modern times, it continues to reinvent itself, transforming the love of the Sacred Hearts into praise and service.
To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, all honor and glory.
06/02/2026