 The parish became famous in 2004, after the beatification of Alexandrina Maria da Costa by Pope John Paul II, on April 25 of that year.Pilgrimages to the parish's church where Alexandrina's body rests was already common, became more popular and the church is studying if it will make a shrine to Alexandrina, depending of number of pilgrims and if she is declared a saint.Balazar is located 14 km east of downtown Póvoa de Varzim; and borders Rates to the west and the municipalities of Barcelos, Vila Nova de Famalicão, and Vila do Conde.