Loulé hosts, on Sunday, April 10, the biggest manifestation of faith south of Fátima – the Great Feast of the Sovereign Mother, which constitutes the high point of celebrations in honor of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, Patron Saint of the City.
During this week, there will be several initiatives that are part of the celebrations program. On the 7th, 8th and 9th of April, at 21 pm, in the Church of S. Francisco, the Solemn Triduum will take place in honor of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose preacher will be Father António Elísio de Freitas. On the Saturday before the Feast, April 00th, the Eucharist is also celebrated at 9:10 am, 00:18 pm and 00:21 pm.
As is tradition, the Clube Hípico de Loulé pays homage to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, in Largo de S. Francisco, at 22 pm.
The great emotions for all believers and devotees of the Sovereign Mother are saved for Sunday, April 10, when the city will wake up to the sound of a dawn of rockets. At 10:00 am, the first religious moment will take place, with the celebration of a Eucharist at Largo de S. Francisco.
At 11:00 am, the image of Nossa Senhora da Piedade leaves in procession to the Largo do Monumento Engº Duarte Pacheco, accompanied by the Band of the Casa do Povo de Lavre (Montemor-o-Novo). It is next to the Monument that, at 12:00 pm, another liturgical moment takes place, followed by a time of praise and greeting to Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
After the outdoor mass celebrated by the Bishop of Algarve D. Manuel Quintas, at 16 pm, next to the Monument Engº Duarte Pacheco, there is the consecration to Nossa Senhora da Piedade and the beginning of the great procession that will traverse the main streets of the city, accompanied by the Band Philharmonic Artists of Minerva.
At 18 pm, the liturgical procession ends at Largo de S. Francisco, and the ascent to the Sanctuary begins. Eight men carry the litter, dressed in white trousers and opa, accompanied by two torches, climb the steep hill, to the accelerated rhythm of the music of the Banda Filarmónica Artistas de Minerva, accompanied by the population showing off in diverse but truly felt manifestations.
“The climb of the path that gives access to the altar of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is an amazing document of the Christian faith in this land. The gigantic effort of the men who transport the Virgin is combined with the spiritual strength of the many faithful who, cheering Our Lady, in brisk step and in the musical cadence of the men in the band, go “pushing”, in the heat of faith and sidewalk above, the heavy litter of the patron saint», explains the Câmara de Loulé.
The festivities end with a fireworks show, next to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, at 23 pm.
This tradition, which dates back to the XNUMXth century, is the main religious manifestation in the south of Fátima and, in this sense, is also a tourist attraction for the city of Loulé and the Algarve region.
“In this demonstration of great worship for the faith there are two distinct strands: the religious, in its most significant sense, and the profane, in the broadest and most liberal popular expression. This immense scenario of Loulé religiosity, with characteristics as local as it is unique, can only be felt in the soul of each believer, when lived. An experience made of religious fervor and Christian witness, whose explanation resides solely in the dogmatic essence of the faith itself, “adds the municipality.
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