Jubilee of São João Batista 2021 in Barão de Cocais, MG

Faith and hope online in the Serra do Caraça

The 2021 Jubilee of São João Batista (Saint John the Baptist) was marked by faith, emotion and resilience amid the challenges of the pandemic. In its 15th edition, the traditional festival of the patron saint of Barão de Cocais took place from June 15 to 24 in an online format, with live streams on the parish's social media.

Even without the physical presence of the faithful, the celebration kept alive the flame of devotion and culture that are part of the identity of the Serra do Caraça. The community came together virtually to celebrate Saint John the Baptist, reinforcing the sense of unity and hope for better days.

The initiative was organized by the City Hall, through the Department of Culture and Tourism, in partnership with the São João Batista Parish, and highlighted the role of technology as a way of bringing people together spiritually and culturally.

Program and moments of devotion

During the nine days of festivities, the religious program was streamed daily on the parish's official Facebook and Instagram channels. Every morning, believers could follow the Prayer of the Day, followed in the afternoon by the Recitation of the Novena and in the evening by Mass and a Special Blessing.

Even in digital form, the festival preserved traditional symbols such as the ringing of the bells, the walk over the embers and the visits of the image of Saint John the Baptist to the communities, which took place in a controlled way, with routes announced daily.

The central theme of the 2021 Jubilee — "Na escola de Jesus, de Francisco e de João: o respeito pela vida e o amor a cada irmão" (In the school of Jesus, Francis and John: respect for life and love for every brother and sister) — inspired reflections on faith, solidarity and care for others, values that guided the whole celebration.

Music and culture at the virtual Jubilee

The online edition also made room for culture and music. On June 19, a special live stream was broadcast on the Barão de Cocais City Hall's official YouTube channel, featuring the duo Cláudio & Lidiany and singer Jeff Cantor, who delighted the audience with songs full of emotion and spirituality.

The initiative reinforced the diverse character of the Jubilee, uniting faith and artistic expression even at a distance. Every night, locals and virtual visitors could feel the human warmth of the festival, which crossed physical barriers to reach homes and hearts throughout the Serra do Caraça.

This combination of religion and culture kept the centuries-old tradition alive, showing that even in times of restrictions, faith remains a force that unites and inspires.

A Jubilee marked by hope

The Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Gabriel Cassoli, highlighted the importance of the 2021 Jubilee as a symbol of the resilience and faith of the people of Barão de Cocais. According to him, the celebration was an opportunity to renew hope and reaffirm love for the patron saint, even in the face of adversity.

With the support of the community, the parish and social media, the event achieved strong engagement and moved believers from many towns in the region. The 15th edition of the Jubilee will be remembered as an example of how faith and tradition can adapt to new times without losing their essence.

In the Serra do Caraça, where spirituality and culture are intertwined, the 2021 Jubilee of São João Batista showed that devotion remains alive — whether in lit-up squares or on device screens — always with the same fervor and love of centuries of history.