The first procession of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres took place in the year 1700, on April 11th. The procession was organised to combat the earthquakes that were being felt on São Miguel island on that day. It went through all the streets of Ponta Delgada city, passing by all the existing convents. The truth is that it is said that when the procession has finished, the earthquakes stopped. From that moment on everyone believed that it was a miracle of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres and the devotion was huge that the procession never stopped.
Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres Procession, image by Visit Azores ©
The nobility and a huge crowd participated in this procession. The image left Esperança Convent and travelled through the whole city. The goal of Mother Teresa da Anunciada, who organised the event, was to share her devotion with others and to re-infuse faith in her people.
Nowadays, the procession of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres tries to recreate the scenario and format of its first edition, including the route is the same.
The route starts at Nossa Senhora da Esperança Church, the sanctuary of the Lord and the place where the image is always kept. It passes through the Campo de São Francisco, the Esperança Convent and the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church, headquarters of São José parish. It then proceeds to the Luís Soares de Sousa, Caetano Albuquerque, Açoriano Oriental and Mercadores streets. It then passes through Camões Square, the Convent and Nossa Senhora da Graça Church. It continues through Ernesto do Canto, Tavares Canário and Mercado streets. Then, São João street, it passes by the Convent and São João Church (Micaelense Theater). Then follows to Guilherme Poças Falcão Street and passes by the Convent and Santo André Church, where you will find the Carlos Machado Museum. Then it goes to Colégio Square where it passes by the Convent and Todos os Santos Church, the current Sacred Art Core of the Carlos Machado Museum. It continues through the Carvalho Araújo, Machado dos Santos, Marquês da Praia and Monforte streets and through the 6 de Junho street. On February 16 street, the procession goes through the Convent and Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church, where the Conceição Palace is located. The procession continues through 2 de Março Square and Diário dos Açores street. It ends with the collection of the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres at the Esperança Convent.
The streets are all adorned with giant carpets of flowers. The procession of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is the largest procession held in the Azores.
Flower Carpet, image by Visit Azores ©