​Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles: The Azorean Devotion in Calgary

​Last June, hundreds of parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Calgary were bursting with joy and colour as they celebrated the Feast of the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles. Fr. Fabio De Souza, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, shared, "This feast is very prominent in Portugal. Some even travel back to Portugal or visit for this festival because of its huge significance." For those who are new to this cultural celebration, keep reading.

The Monastery of Our Lady of Hope
The island of São Miguel, part of the Azores archipelago, is rich in faith, cultural heritage, and historical landmarks. One of its most iconic representations is the revered Ecce Homo, known locally as Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, or Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles in English. Carved in the early 16th century, this venerated image was a gift from Pope Paul III to two nuns who traveled to Rome to obtain the Bull for the foundation of São Miguel's first female monastery.

Located in Ponta Delgada, Azores, the Monastery of Our Lady of Hope houses a striking wooden bust of Jesus Christ, depicting Him during the Passion. This remarkable statue is known for its profound facial expression and the exquisite craftsmanship of its adornments, which include various precious stones. The devotion to Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres gained significant momentum in the 18th century thanks to Mother Teresa de Jesus da Anunciada and has since spread across the Azores and worldwide, including Europe, Central and South America, as well as the United States and Canada.
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Major Religious Festival
Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is the focal point of the largest religious festival in the Azores and the second largest in Portugal, surpassed only by the Festivities of the Sanctuary of Fatima. This annual celebration attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the globe, especially immigrants from the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the deep faith and cultural traditions of the Azorean people.

Devotion in Calgary
This devotion was brought to Portuguese parishes in Canada by Azorean immigrants, making it, alongside the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, one of the most important celebrations for Portuguese-Canadians. "At least 100 people from Edmonton also came to our parish to celebrate this feast," shared Fr. Fabio. "This feast attracts even those who don't usually attend Mass in our parish. They come for this feast because it's the most important devotional event for them, embedded in their culture."
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After Mass, the faithful gathered outside the church to join the procession, followed by a social gathering in the Parish hall, complete with traditional Portuguese finger food.

At Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Calgary, the festivities have been organized by the Confraternity of the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles since 2014. This group promotes the religious celebrations, procession, and social events, attracting many Azorean faithful, including those from places like Edmonton. These gatherings help preserve the Portuguese heritage in Calgary.
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In this season of Renewal, the festivity highlighted the importance of a sense of belonging, one of the key pillars of Diocesan renewal. "For this event, volunteers came together and invited everyone to join the festivity. With this cultural event, we as a parish attract so many people, including the unchurched," shared Fr. Fabio. The parish is already hoping to hold this celebration in both Portuguese and English to be welcoming to even more people in their parish and beyond.

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Submitted by Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.