[1] The archdiocese owns the parishes in seventy nine municipalities in four main regions in the state of Minas Gerais.

[citation needed] In 1748, after being released from prison, formerly enslaved prostitute Rosa Egipcíaca began to preach to crowds about her religious visions.

In 1749, she was accused of witchcraft by the Bishop of Mariana and whipped as a punishment.

[3] This punishment paralysed the right side of her body for the rest of her life.

[4] She became the first black woman in Brazil to write a book, entitled Sagrada Teologia do Amor Divino das Almas Peregrinas.