SANTO CRISTO FEAST 2023
PROGRAM
Friday, May 12th -
6PM - Mass
Kitchen, malassadas, bar, bazaar, games, open at 6PM
Performance by David DeMelo and his Band
Music and dancing until Midnight
Saturday, May 13th
Malassadas starting at 3PM
5PM - Moving of the Statue procession, followed by Mass with preaching by Fr. Jack Oliveira
Kitchen, bar, bazaar, games, open at 6PM
Performance by Arlindo Andrade
Music and dancing until Midnight
Sunday, May 14th
Malassadas starting at 9AM
11:30AM - Solemn Feast Mass with preaching by Fr. Jack Oliveira
Kitchen bar open at 12PM
3PM - Solemn Procession, followed by Benediction in the church.
6PM - Performance by Nadia
Music and dancing until 10PM
Programa da Festa
Sexta-feira, 12 de Maio
6PM - Missa
6PM - Cozinha, malassadas, bar, e jogos abrem
Música de David DeMelo e sua banda
Arraial até Meia-noite
Sábado, 13 de Maio
Malassadas começando as 3PM
5PM - Mudança da Imagem, seguida pela Missa com pregação de Padre Jack Oliveira
6PM -Cozinha, bar, jogos abrem
Música com Arlindo Andrade
Arraial até Meia-noite
Domingo, 14 de Maio
Malassadas começando as 9AM
11:30AM - Missa Solene da Festa, com pregação de Padre Jack Oliveira
12PM - Cozinha e bar abrem
3PM- Procissão, seguida pela Bênção do Santíssimo
6PM - Música com Nadia
Arraial até 10PM
Santo Cristo History
The island of São Miguel and the Azores in general currently have some images that immediately identify it. Culturally, the famous representation of “Ecce Homo” known as “Senhor Santo Cristo Dos Milagres”, originated in the 16th century and whose veneration, today truly remarkable, began to intensify in the 18th century through the Friar Teresa de Jesus, who since that time has been considered venerable and on the way to being formally recognized as a Saint.
In the monastery of Our Lady of Hope, in Ponta Delgada, there is a wooden figure (a bust) that represents Jesus Christ during the Passion of Christ. This image, in a first phase, impresses people by its facial expression and in a second phase, it is possible to highlight the perfection and magnificence of all its props, built with immense precious stones, pearls, diamonds and gold.
This image was carved at the beginning of the 16th century and soon after it was offered by Pope Paul III to two nuns who had gone to Rome to impetrate the Bull of the foundation of the first feminine cenobium of this island of São Miguel. It is believed to have been washed ashore after the shipwreck on which it was following.
This bust has a legend around it. A long time ago, the nuns of the Convent of Caloura felt very sad because the people of the town of Água de Pau were becoming very distant from the faith and fear of God. These sisters spent a lot of time praying with great fervour and hoped that if they had a new image in their convent they would be able to attract the parishioners back to the ways of faith.
They decided to write a letter to the Pope in Rome to ask him to offer them a new image for the convent since they had no money to buy it for their own means. But when they received the answer, they found that their request could not be granted. However, the sisters of Caloura Convent did not despair and, despite the adversities, continued with the faith that one day they would have a new image.
Legend has it that these events occurred at a time when there were many pirates and corsairs roaming the seas of the Azores. A ship that was passing off the island of São Miguel was attacked by pirate ships and many of its wrecks ended up on the coast over several days.
On one of these days, after finishing their duties in the convent’s gardens, the nuns were resting by the sea when they saw in the water, floating by the rocks, a box from which light seemed to emanate. Curious, they went down to the coast, pulled the crate to the beach and when they opened it they saw that it contained a beautiful bust of Christ. The image had a lively look and a humble and serene expression.