it's St Mary Star of the Sea celebration

that is a lovely photo

So much dedication shown in these sort of ritualized things. This is such a beautiful perspective, like she is looking out over the water. Is there some significance to superstition such as a request for her to watch over seafaring for the year or something? There is such a depth of spiritual culture shown here that the US as so young has never developed.

Actually it reports to middle ages and the holy war GT, its said that crusades invoked St Mary's Star of the Sea, for protection to cross the Mediterranean Sea, heading to Palestine territories.
Brazil is a country with a huge catholic influence, so these celebrations came with the first pilgrims.

Beautiful

I love it. Seems Brazil adopted and maintain these traditions even when they have stopped at the source. Might not see this at mediterranean crossing anymore. :-) I think that is wonderful.