The Feast of the Lord Santo Cristo dos Milagres returns from May 23 to May 27, the fifth Sunday after Easter, to the city of Ponta Delgada, in São Miguel, Azores.
Established nearly 400 years ago, the tradition has been held since the 17th century following a severe seismic chain of events on the archipelago.
It is the largest religious festival in the Azores, attracting thousands of participants from all over the Azores and the world, recognized as the second-largest religious event in Portugal, after the religious celebrations in Fatima. Most pilgrims come from the many communities of Azoreans abroad, namely from the United States of America and Canada.
Reverend Richard G. Henning of Boston
This year, the solemn celebration will be presided over by Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston. The former Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Archbishop Henning, has strong ties to the Azorean community and expressed a deep desire to participate in this significant religious event. His involvement is seen as a meaningful connection between the Azores and its diaspora, particularly in the United States.
The festival’s theme this year is “Cristo, nossa Esperança” (“Christ, our Hope”). Key events include the Sermão da Mudança (Sermon of the Change) on Saturday, May 24, and the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday, May 25, both led by Archbishop Henning. Additionally, an English-language Mass will be celebrated at 8:00 AM on Sunday at the Church of São José, catering to tourists and emigrants.
The main procession takes place on Sunday, May 25, afternoon, where the revered image of Senhor Santo Cristo is paraded through the streets of Ponta Delgada. The procession is accompanied by thousands of pilgrims and features streets adorned with intricate floral carpets, creating a vibrant and devotional atmosphere, including music, traditional food, and cultural performances, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.
The festival will also feature a Via-Lucis da Esperança (“Way of Light of Hope”), a spiritual procession focusing on the resurrection of Christ, especially dedicated to the youth.
The festival centers around the veneration of the image of Senhor Santo Cristo, housed in the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança in Ponta Delgada. This image is a Renaissance-style representation of the “Ecce Homo,” depicting Jesus Christ after his flagellation, and is deeply revered by the Azorean people.
The 2025 edition will also include secular cultural events, such as art exhibitions, concerts, and auctions. From May 26-29, the continuation of the secular festivities includes a bazaar and other popular events.
For those unable to attend in person, the festival will be streamed live, allowing international viewers to participate virtually. Coverage will be provided by RTP/Açores through their online platforms, such as the YouTube channel. Additionally, continuous livestreams from the Capela do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres are available via CamStreamer.
This year, the Santo Cristo Society of San Mateo County in South San Francisco, California, will also hold a parade and celebration of Santo Cristo dos Milagres on May 25th.
Visit the full calendar of celebrations, which includes the religious ceremonies and the traditional secular festivities.
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PAJ/Staff
The Azores (population 250,000) is a region of Portugal composed of nine islands. The archipelago, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976. The government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores includes the Legislative Assembly, composed of 57 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for the Regional Government’s executive operations. The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented in the Council of Ministers of the Central Government by a representative appointed by the President of Portugal. According to the latest US census, over 1.3 million individuals of Portuguese descent live in the United States, the majority with roots in the Azores. It is estimated that over 20,000 US citizens live in Portugal.
