The Spiritual Adoption Movement in Brazil has definitely gone beyond the framework of private prayer for an unborn child threatened with extinction. They define themselves as Pilgrims of Hope and defenders of life. The founder and spiritual guardian of this dynamic movement is a Polish missionary - auxiliary bishop of Rio de Janeiro Zdzisław Stanisław Błaszczyk, called by the locals Don Tiago Stanisław.
The prayer of Spiritual Adoption caused leaders to begin to notice the tragedies of pregnant women who were left alone and, without any help, who decided to have an abortion, which caused the death of children and long-term consequences for the mothers. The Brazilian Spiritual Adoption Movement has thus become a pro-life organization with a very wide scope of activity: from prayer and entrustment, through concrete help, homes for pregnant women and psychological and spiritual care.
Bishop Błaszczyk emphasizes that prayer is the first and most important initiative that we can take up in every matter, including in defense of life. - To all those who want to get involved in the defense of life, I say right away that Spiritual Adoption is a wonderful option and everyone, regardless of age or life situation, can accept it and in this way make a very real change in the life of a child at risk of abortion, as well as in the life of its mother - he adds.
The members of this movement are very happy about the visit of Our Lady to the Czestochowa Icon in Brazil, they participate in subsequent meetings, helping to organize them. However, the great moment came when they had the opportunity to host Her in their community.
They chose the most spectacular place and time. On the night from Friday to Saturday before Palm Sunday (April 11/12, 2025), they took the Icon to the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer towering over Rio de Janeiro, stretching out his arms over the world.
They describe the event as follows: we went to the Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer, where, under the mantle of Our Lady of Częstochowa and the care of the Blessed Ulma Family, we experienced moments of deep spirituality during the Vigil for Life. The leaders of the Spiritual Adoption Movement from Betim, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro participated.
Dóris Hipólitoz of the Mission of Two Lives brought mothers who were provided with assistance by Casa de Amparo Pro Vida (House of Refuge for Life) and Maria José Zezé Luz – a lecturer and family counselor who runs Rede Colaborativa Brasil – a network of organizations supporting women who are victims of violence and in crisis pregnancy.
Dom Tiago Stanisław, or Bishop Błaszczyk, presided over the Holy Mass concelebrated together with Fr. Rene, from the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Betim.
- The defense of life is a subject that our Church has always recommended to all Catholics with great determination – said Bishop Dom Tiago Stanislaw. - As Poles, we participated in the beginnings of this great pilgrimage, but later it took on a life of its own - a great dimension of traveling around the world, and today Brazil is the thirtieth country - he emphasized.
After the Holy Mass, the Act of Entrustment of the protection of the civilization of life and love into the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary was renewed. Then there was venerated of the Mother of God in the Częstochowa Icon in this extraordinary scenery, where at the foot of the mountain the lights of this huge city of over six million spread out. The next Mysteries of the Rosary were recited, and then the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The Eucharistic Christ, located in a small chapel on the pedestal of the figure of Christ the Redeemer, was adored.
- It was an extraordinary night, an extraordinary vigil - said Zezé Luz. - The penetrating, eternal gaze of the Blessed Virgin Mary on this Icon is very significant, especially for pro-life activities, because she, traveling "From Ocean to Ocean", promotes the defense of human life. She teaches and educates us women to be caring, caring, protective and life-supporting mothers - added Zezé Luz.