The threat of rain failed to deter the island’s Azorean population from celebrating Santo Cristo with its annual procession down flower-lined streets.

The Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres — which translates as “Festival of the Christ of Miracles” — originated in the 1700s on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, and has been celebrated in Bermuda for almost 50 years.

Crowds gathered along Dundonald Street yesterday to watch the traditional procession from St Theresa’s Cathedral carrying the statue of Senhor Santo Cristo at the conclusion of a special Mass.

Tony Sousa, one of the many spectators, said faith and tradition brought him out to the festival every year.

“Our mothers and fathers instilled that in me and I brought my daughter and her friends,” he said.

“It is important to see where they come from and faith is always a good thing.”

Mr Sousa emigrated to Bermuda with his family when he was a child and believed it was important to embrace his heritage.

“I moved here years ago but even when we go on vacation we make sure to see this,” he said. “It shows that once you unite as a community, beautiful things can happen.”

Jennifer Correia said that in addition to a celebration of faith, the festival was an opportunity to see and reconnect with friends and family.

“As Portuguese people, we always come out and celebrate,” she said. “I think it’s important to keep the tradition alive.

“We go out to church and we see all the people — it is a great day to see everybody. It’s a good tradition to keep.”

Ms Correia also highlighted the beauty of the procession.

“Every year it’s beautiful to see the streets decorated and all the flowers,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see the little kids as angels and all of the Portuguese representation.”

After the procession, the crowds moved to Mount Saint Agnes, where revellers enjoyed live music and a variety of Portuguese treats such as malassadas, a much-loved Portuguese doughnut, and bifanas, a traditional marinated pork sandwich.

Jeff DeCouto, visiting the island from Boston, said that the event was one of the highlights of his trip so far.

“I was a little worried after all the rain this morning, but the clouds parted just in time,” he said. “It’s amazing to learn a little bit more of the diaspora in such a beautiful island.”

Photo gallery