A stunning former model and beauty queen has traded in the catwalk for a convent after going viral while selling rosaries at a roadside stall.
The 21-year-old woman, now known as Sister Eva, mesmerised locals in Goiania, a city in central-western Brazil, as she chatted with them and handed out religious items on 30th May.
Born Kamila Cardoso, she previously competed in beauty contests and worked as a fashion model before joining a religious order at age 18.
Nun Kamila Cardoso, 21, poses in undated photo. She was once a model and a beauty queen and went viral for her beauty while selling rosaries in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@servasdemariasantissima/CEN)
Images of her smiling and dressed in a habit have caused a social media storm, with fans calling her "too beautiful to be a nun".
Many compared her to a character from the TV show 'A Little Angel', a Brazilian children's series about a sweet and spirited young girl living in a Catholic boarding school, while others said she looked like "a model doing cosplay".
Sister Eva belongs to the Congregation Sancta Dei Genitrix, an independent Orthodox community not linked to the Roman Catholic Church.
Nun Kamila Cardoso, 21, poses in undated photo. She was once a model and a beauty queen and went viral for her beauty while selling rosaries in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
The order is known for its work in poor communities and for allowing nuns to wear make-up and elegant clothing.
Father Jose Ribamar R. Dias, who leads the group, encourages the sisters to take care of their appearance as a form of self-respect.
Sister Eva maintains a constant presence on the congregation's social media, showing the social work that she and the other nuns are carrying out.
She said that the attention had opened up opportunities to share faith with people who might not otherwise engage with the church.
Nun Kamila Cardoso, 21, poses in undated photo. She was once a model and a beauty queen and went viral for her beauty while selling rosaries in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
Social media users continued to flood her with praise, calling her "an angel on Earth" and joking that she had just broken a million hearts.
Sister Eva is originally from Patos de Minas but now lives and works in Goiania where her congregation is based.
Photos from her modelling days show a glamorous young woman in pageant sashes and dresses, a stark contrast to her current religious robes.
She said: "I had won the title of Miss Continente Teen Sol Nascente.
Nun Kamila Cardoso, 21, poses in undated photo. She was once a model and a beauty queen and went viral for her beauty while selling rosaries in Goiania, Brazil. Note: Private photo. (CEN)
"Then, one day before the contest finale where we were going to compete for the national sash, I gave up to have a life dedicated to the church and the mission."
The order also runs social media pages highlighting its charity work and evangelising efforts.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)