Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
Posted by: 
btrodrigues
N 37° 44.264 W 025° 40.394
26S E 616903 N 4177545
Santo Cristo dos Milagres is the patron of the largest religious festival in Azores. It takes place every year, 5 weeks after easter and for an entire week. Celebrations reach their peak with the procession and a massive fireworks display.
Waymark Code: WM8V14
Location: Arquipélago dos Açores, Portugal
Date Posted: 05/13/2010
Views: 15
It is said that during the sixteen century, two nuns from the Caloura Monastery in the island of Sao Miguel, Azores, went to Rome to ask for a bula for their monastery. Pope Clement VII conceded the bula and presente the two nuns with a gift of an image of the Ecce Homo (Senhor Santo Cristo). During this time, the west coast of the island was frequentely attacked by pirates who use to intercept the ships that travelled the route to India. To protect the congregation of Caloura from these attacks by the pirates, the condes of Vila Franca do Campo decided to build a monastery in Ponta Delgada which was named "Convento de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca" and the congregation of Caloura moved to this monastery and took with them the image of Senhor Santo Cristo which was placed in the Ermida of Nossa Senhora da Paz. On April of 1970, the island of Sao Miguel was struck by several and severe sysms; concerned with this tragedy, the Misericordia council and the Nobles of the city decided to carry the image of Senhor Santo Cristo in procession through the streets of Ponta Delgada, the procession took place on April 11, 1700 and visited all the churchs of the city of Ponta Delgada. During the procession, the image fell down causing panic among the population, but there was no damage done to the image and the sysms stopped. This was viewed as a miracle and madre Teresa da Anunciada who had a truly and faithful devotion to Jesus inicitate the cult to Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Since then, many miracles were attributed to Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres and the gifts from the thankfull and devoted people of Sao Miguel helped build a treasure of incalculavel value. Every year, 5 weeks after easter, the procession of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres takes place in Ponta Delgada following the same route and ritual allowing the Azorian people and immigrants from all corners of the world mainly from North America to demonstrate and give testimony of their faith.
The immense firework display, visible from the square where both the church and the convent are placed, is fired from the old 16th century fortress (Forte de S. Brás) and it is, year after year, overwhelming.
Date of the Fireworks Display: 05/16/2009
Starting Time of the Fireworks Display: 11:00 PM
Web Site for more info: [Web Link]
Who is putting on the Fireworks Display: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:Since taking suitable photographs may be nearly impossible, please just tell us about the show!