Perhaps the most iconic religious festival in the Azores archipelago, the feasts of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres 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 Senhor dos Milagres had performed a miracle. Since then, the procession and festivities have been held every year.
Beginning on May 17, the 2025 feasts of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres will end on May 29, with a solemn concelebration in honor of Madre 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 fifth week after Easter, with the reception of the cattle offerings, followed by a preparatory triduum between May 18 and 22.
Today, Friday, May 23, after the traditional Masses, the decorative lighting of the Shrine of the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres will be inaugurated.
On Saturday, May 24, there will be a procession to move the image of the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, as well as Mass at midnight on Sunday, May 25, in São José.
Throughout the week there will be various concerts, festivals, masses and the collection of the image, and on Thursday, May 29, the Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres 2025 will come to a close.
