Campina Grande, in Paraíba's Agreste region, will mark All Souls' Day on Monday, Nov. 2, with religious ceremonies in cemeteries and changes to traffic and public transport, according to the announced schedule. The city's traffic and public transport agency, STTP, has prepared a special operation to organize vehicle circulation and ease access to visiting locations.
City Hall estimates that more than 80,000 people will visit municipal cemeteries during the day. The municipal urban services and environment department, Sesuma, carried out cleaning, painting and mowing work to prepare the sites for visitors, and chemical toilets were installed at the cemetery units. The program also includes religious celebrations from different faiths and psychological and social support for visitors.
At the Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. with Bishop Dom Dulcênio and for 4:30 p.m. with parish priest Padre Evanilson. At Campo Santo Parque da Paz, Capela Pax will host Mass at 10 a.m. with Padre Ednaldo and at 4 p.m. with Padre Carlinhos.
At Cemitério do Monte Santo, Masses are scheduled for 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Capela Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Cemitério do Araxá will have Masses at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Cemitério do José Pinheiro at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Cemitério de Bodocongó at 6 a.m.; Cemitério Público do distrito de Galante at 8 a.m.; and Cemitério do distrito de Catolé de Boa Vista at 7:30 a.m.
STTP traffic coordinator Daniel Araújo said interventions will begin in the early hours at the main cemeteries, including those in Monte Santo, Araxá and the district of São José da Mata. The operation will also cover the area around Campo Santo Parque da Paz, with traffic conditions monitored and vehicle circulation adjusted as needed.
Elderly people and people with disabilities or mobility difficulties may receive differentiated assistance under the plan. In those cases, vehicles will be allowed access to the area near cemetery entrances after identification with traffic agents stationed at blockades.
Public collective transport will operate on a Sunday and holiday schedule from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fleet will be 30% larger than the usual Sunday operation to meet higher passenger demand. Additional vehicles may be made available if the service needs to be expanded, and lines 245 and 092 are also expected to serve demand linked to Shopping Partage until 10:30 p.m. on Monday.
Sources: G1.