Bl. Alexandrina Rest in New Eucharistic Shrine

Blessed Alexandrina Rests in the New Eucharistic Shrine at Balasar

(ANS – Balasar, Portugal – October 12, 2026) - On October 10, the mortal remains of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, a Salesian Cooperator, were transferred from the parish church to the new Eucharistic shrine in Balasar. On October 11, the shrine was consecrated during a solemn celebration.

The transfer

The celebration was presided over by Archbishop José Cordeiro of Braga and marked the transfer of the casket to the place that will henceforth welcome pilgrims. Among those present were Bishop Manuel Linda of Porto; Auxiliary Bishop Rui Gouveia of Lisbon; Abp. Emeritus Jorge Ortiga of Braga; and Bp. Sergio Dinis of the Military Ordinariate. Representing the Salesian Family were Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni and Fr. Tarcizio Morais, provincial of the Salesians of Portugal and Cape Verde.

In his homily, Abp. Cordeiro highlighted Alexandrina’s Eucharistic spirituality and the missionary dimension of her life. “Alexandrina is a person so full of people!” he said, recalling that silence and prayer do not mean detachment from others, but rather a path of openness towards one’s neighbor. He added, “Alexandrina will be a beacon in the sanctuary’s tent.”

At the end of the ceremony, the Povoa de Varzim Volunteer Fire Brigade escorted her mortal remains to the shrine. Hundreds of people filled the streets of Balasar with faith, devotion, and flowers. In the new burial chapel, the Blessed rests in a simple tomb, situated to one side and surrounded by roses. In accordance with her wishes, she faces the tabernacle.

The consecration

The following day, the apostolic nuncio to Portugal, Abp. Andres Carrascosa Coso, presided over the consecration of the church and the altar. Numerous bishops concelebrated, including Cardinals Antonio Marto and Americo Aguiar, Abp. José Cordeiro, Bp. Jorge Ortiga, and Auxiliary Bishop Fernando Francisco of Luanda, Angola. Representatives of civil institutions were also present, including the mayors of Vila do Conde, Vieira do Minho, and Povoa de Varzim, and Duarte Pio. Fr. Cameroni and Fr. Morais also took part in this celebration.

In his homily, the nuncio explained the symbols of the rite (water, chrism, incense, and light) and recalled that the baptized are “living stones” of the new temple. He presented Alexandrina as a model of everyday holiness, lived out thru illness and self-sacrifice out of love. He also recalled her connection with the Salesian Family, in particular her promise to become a Salesian Cooperator in 1944. Alexandrina offered her prayers and suffering above all for young people and their salvation. Quoting St. John Paul II, he repeated, “Love for Christ is the secret of holiness.”

The dedication rites included the Litany of the Saints, the placement of relics beneath the altar, anointing with chrism, the incensing of the church, and the festive illumination of the building. Placed beneath the altar were the relics of Alexandrina and those of various saints and blesseds, including St. Peter of Rates, St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs, and St. Carlo Acutis. Before Communion, Sister Emilia Almeida, the organizer and promoter of the cause for canonization, read Alexandrina’s words on her First Communion. Finally, the Blessed Sacrament was placed in the tabernacle of the chapel of Eucharistic adoration.

A new chapter

Alexandrina was born in Balasar on March 30, 1904, and died there on October 13, 1955. John Paul II beatified her on April 25, 2004. Devotion to her will now be centered on the new shrine, while the parish church will remain linked to the life of the community. The nuncio expressed the hope that the site would offer pilgrims “silence and contemplation amid the turmoil of the world.”