Bermuda’s Portuguese community celebrated Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres with traditional pageantry in Hamilton yesterday.

Hundreds of people took part in the annual procession from St Theresa’s Cathedral over flower-decorated streets.

Don Tucker, who watched the parade, said: “It’s a beautiful tradition. Azorean culture is everywhere in Bermuda, but it’s not usually in the spotlight as much as it is this time of the year. It’s great to help remind us who we are and where we come from.”

The Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres – which translates to “Festival of the Christ of Miracles” – originated in the 1700s on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores.

While a scaled-down event was held last year, the festival returned in force this weekend.

Celebrations started on Saturday night with an 8pm mass at St Theresa’s Cathedral, followed by a feast and the removal of the statue of Senhor Santo Cristo from the chapel.

On Sunday, that was followed with mass and a procession from the Cathedral down Dundonald Street, through Woodlands Road, to Laffan Street and back to the Cathedral.

Festivities continued at BAA with a bazaar, featuring Portuguese foods and drinks, an auction and live entertainment.

Lauren Madeiros said the event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate faith and the local Azorean community.

“It really takes you back to another time,” she said. “The costumes, the pageantry.

“My husband is pretty much just here for the food, but I’m not going to hold it against him.”

Richard Perreira added that it was good to have the event back on the calendar in the wake of Covid-19.

“It was nice to have something last year, but this feels more like what it should be,” he said. “More people are coming out, there’s a better atmosphere. It feels like it should.”

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