Over five centuries the Azorean character was strongly framed by the rugged elements of the islands nature, inspiring numerous rituals and religious traditions Faial Island, Horta archipelago. This is where the Diocese of A great part of the History and Culture of these islands is displayed through the • Sixth Sunday after Easter: N.ª Sr.ª das Angra is located. Angústias. One of the largest festivities legacy of their beliefs and religious traditions, as well as their architectural and on the island, gathering believers from São Jorge Island - Manadas artistic heritage. several islands. • Santa Bárbara Church (18th century) - In the Azores there are many religious celebrations, evoking people and special Baroque style, its interior is a portfolio of events. Some of these demonstrations only take place in the Azores; others were Flores Island, Fajãzinha religious art from that time. taken by the Azoreans to the four corners of the world, underlining their bond to • First Sunday of September: Santo religions penitent and/or festive trends. Amaro. Ancient devotion in this parish, Flores Island - Santa Cruz th Religious celebrations are a year round attraction in the Azores, the most being one of the island’s most important • N.ª Sr.ª da Conceição Church (19 important taking place from April to September. pilgrimages. century) - Designated as Building with Public Interest, this is one of the most Corvo Island, Vila Nova do Corvo imposing churches in the Azores. of crystal clear water, as well as for its • August 15: N.ª Sr.ª dos Milagres. The Other religious events orchards. On this day, it hosts many celebrations in honour of this patron Graciosa Island - Santa Cruz and festivities pilgrims in search of protection. saint are the largest on the island. • N.ª Sr.ª da Ajuda Hermitage (15th Associated with Festival dos Moinhos. century) - One of the best examples of Santa Maria Island, Vila do Porto Graciosa Island, Santa Cruz fortified churches existing in the Azores. • August 15: N.ª Sr.ª da Assunção. • May 24: N.ª Sr.ª da Guadalupe. This is Visit Suggestions The music festival Maré de Agosto is one of the island’s largest processions. Faial Island - Horta associated with these festivities and The procession of repentance to Monte Santa Maria Island - Santo Espírito • São Salvador Church (17th century) - FIVE CENTURIES it includes many musical and literary da Ajuda results from a popular piety • N.ª Sr.ª da Purificação Church (18th Adjacent to the extinct Jesuit Convent, events. vow dating back to the 18th century. century) - Baroque with a lava stone- it houses a great heritage in its interior. decorated façade. São Miguel Island, Vila Franca do São Jorge Island, Fajã dos Vimes Pico Island - São Mateus OF RELIGIOUS TRADITION Campo • July 16: N.ª Sr.ª do Carmo. Traditional São Miguel Island - Ponta Delgada • São Mateus Church (19th century) - • The Sunday closest to May 8: São pilgrimage to one of the largest fajãs on • São José Church (17th century) - It was Considered a Diocesan Sanctuary, in its Miguel, The Archangel. This ceremony the island’s southern coast. part of the extinct Convent of Saint interior there is an image of Senhor Bom was brought by the first settlers and Francis, falling within the Portuguese Jesus Milagroso brought from Brazil. celebrates both the island’s patron saint Pico Island, Lajes Style Maneirista. and the patron saints of professional • Last Sunday of August: N.ª Sr.ª de Corvo Island - Vila Nova do Corvo occupations. Lurdes, whalers patron saint. The Terceira Island - Angra do Heroísmo • N.ª Sr.ª dos Milagres Church (18th festivities last for a week. There are • Santíssimo Salvador da Sé Church (16th century) - Mother Church whose Terceira Island, Agualva many social, cultural and sport activities century) - One and only cathedral in the architecture and dimension stand out • August 15: N.ª Sr.ª da Guadalupe. This linked to the extinct whale hunting Azores and the largest temple in the from the town’s remaining buildings. parish is known for its various fountains activity. GOVERNO DOS AÇORES UNIÃO EUROPEIA Fundo Europeu de Vice-Presidência do Governo Desenvolvimento Regional 36º 55’ 44’’ N, 25º 01’ 02’’ W - Azores, PORTUGAL PILGRIMS OF SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND (ROMEIROS) OUR LADY OF MIRACLES The origin of these pilgrimages dates There is an all-embracing devotion to the Virgin back to the seismic crisis that affected Mary in the Azores. In fact, there are processions São Miguel Island in the XVI century, and pilgrimages in her honour in almost every during which people decided to little town of the Azorean islands. organise pilgrimages in order to seek Emerging in different forms, the worship of Our divine protection against those events SENHOR SANTO CRISTO DOS MILAGRES Lady of Miracles is one of the most significant and obtain forgiveness for their own in the Azores. and everyone else’s sins. On Terceira Island, in Serreta, the Diocesan HOLY GHOST The celebrations in honour of Senhor Santo Since then, every year groups of men, Cristo dos Milagres constitute one of the largest Sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles is the largest called romeiros, bond in pilgrimage and most important Marian centre of the Azores, gathering thousands The devotion to the third religious festivities in Portugal and the largest during a week around the island. These pilgrims stop at churches and in the Azores, bringing together thousands of of pilgrims in a tradition that dates back to the end of the 16th century. person of the Holy Trin- hermitages devoted to the Virgin. They sing rounds of hail marys, slightly According to popular belief, a priest, who got tired of men’s lack of moral, ity is one of the oldest believers, not only from the Azores. muddled and off-key, like a fisherman’s monastic chant. The festivities’ peak takes place on the fifth decided to become a hermit. To accomplish one of his vows, he built a and most disseminated The Romeiros’ attire is very symbolic and follows the rules and customs hermitage where he placed an image of Our Lady of Miracles, which he practices of Christian- Sunday after Easter with the procession of set by the group structure and the ritual itself. the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres had taken with him. ity. The worship of the Currently, these pilgrimages gather every year around two thousand The aura of holiness that, since then, surrounds the image brings every Holy Ghost was brought through the streets of Ponta Delgada, covered pilgrims, who pray repentantly and intensively while visiting around 100 with flower carpets. This procession takes place since the 17th century, year, on the second Sunday of September, a multitude of believers to the to the Azores by the first settlers, influenced by the Franciscans, first places of worship. church of Serreta, being the island’s largest pilgrimage. religious order to settle the islands, and the severe life conditions they when the image was taken out in a procession intended to stop seismic crises affecting São Miguel Island at the time. encountered strengthening Azorean belief over the years building it up Date and place: On the Island of São Miguel each group of pilgrims comes out during Date and place: Our Lady of Miracles takes place at the Parish of Serreta on the Island into a present day world bastion of the faith on The Third Person of the one of the weeks of Lent, previously defined by Central Coordination, with the first According to popular belief, the image of Ecce Homo was offered by the of Terceira annually on the second week-end of September. The pilgrimage takes place Trinity. Festivities in honour of the Holy Ghost take place on every Island groups leaving on the week-end after Ash Wednesday and the last groups returning to Pope Paul III to the Sisters of Saint Clare of the island’s first convent, in on Friday and Saturday before the festive Sunday and ends on Monday. of the archipelago, although some rituals may differ from island to is- their home parishes on Holy Thursday. Caloura, in the 16th century. As this place was vulnerable to pirate and land. This cult is based on a brotherhood that celebrates the values of corsairs attacks, these nuns moved to the convent of Our Lady of Hope, equality, fraternity and liberty as the motto, not of a revolution, but of in Ponta Delgada, taking with them the image that remains there up to the ordered government of God. The festivities’ most important rituals present date. are the “crowning” of the imperador and the offering of food and drinks The treasure associated with the image is the richest in the Iberian to the community and passers-by, combining veneration with joyful Peninsula. It is partially composed of donations from grateful devotees get-togethers. The Impérios, small colourful structures of a unique ar- who saw their prayers answered. chitecture, brighten all Azorean parishes. They are the core of the Holy Apart from the religious aspect, characterised by moving the image to the Ghost worship and rituals, housing the insignias, the crown and sceptre main alter within the chapel of Our Lady of Hope and the neighbouring the flag and banner. church of Saint Joseph, the candle procession, the evening vigil and the Those who visit the Azores during these celebrations can savour the grand procession, there is a secular dimension to the festivities, including famous “Holy Ghost Soups” that consist of vegetable and meat stock concerts, fairs and a variety of food and drink stands. poured over wheat bread, flavoured with mint. Sweet bread (massa so- Date and place: Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, on the fifth Sunday after Easter vada), rice pudding and local red wine (vinho de cheiro) are also served.