Perhaps the most iconic religious festival in the Azores archipelago, the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres festivities are held every year in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel. They take place in the 5th week after Easter and last for two weeks.
Despite having been held for hundreds of years, the festivities only gained their current importance in the 1700s, due to an earthquake crisis. At that time, the population thought they should hold a procession with the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Coincidence or not, the earthquakes stopped, leading people to believe that the image of the Santo Cristo dos Milagres had performed a miracle. Since then, the procession and festivities have been held nearly every year.
Beginning on April 27th, the 2024 feasts of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres ended on May 9th, with a solemn concelebration in honor of Mother Teresa da Anunciada, a street festival and a closing concert by the Banda da Zona Militar dos Açores.
In keeping with tradition, the festivities began on the 5th week after Easter, with the reception of the livestock offerings, followed by a preparatory triduum between April 30th and May 2nd.
On Friday, May 3rd, after the traditional masses, the decorative lighting of the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres was inaugurated, followed by a concert by the Banda Harmonia Mosteirense.
Decorative lighting of the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres from 2024
On Saturday, May 4th, there was a procession to move the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, as well as Mass at midnight on Sunday, May 5th.
Throughout the week there were various concerts, festivals, masses and the collection of the image, and the religious festivities came to a close on Thursday, May 9th.