The inauguration of Dom Mário Antônio da Silva as the new archbishop of Aparecida will take place at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady Aparecida during the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil in April 2026.
Dom Mário Antônio da Silva is set to take over as the new archbishop of Aparecida, and his inauguration will occur at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady Aparecida, the archdiocese's cathedral and Brazil's largest Marian pilgrimage center. The ceremony is expected to coincide with the General Assembly of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), which is scheduled for April 15 to 24, 2026, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed.
The inauguration ceremony will follow the prescribed rites of Canon Law, with a central moment involving the handing over of the pastoral staff (the episcopal crosier), symbolizing the shepherding role of the archbishop. The current archbishop, Dom Orlando Brandes, will officially transfer the staff to Dom Mário Antônio da Silva, marking the formal change in leadership of the archdiocese.
Once the staff is handed over, the mass will conclude, indicating that the transition has been successfully completed. The agenda for the event also includes a segment where thanks will be extended to Dom Orlando for his leadership during his tenure as archbishop, followed by Dom Mário's first public address as the new archbishop, outlining his vision and plans for the diocese.
