Festa Grande da Mãe Soberana

After last year’s c’est la vie we finally made it. Arrived too late to collect a scarf but probably a little bit too early for the procession, still we got a parking space. We were not too sure what to expect but after the beautiful parade at São Brás we were hopeful, after all the ‘Feast of the Sovereign Mother’ is the one everyone seems to talk about.

Viva a Mãe Soberana!
Viva a Senhora da Piedade!
Viva os Homens do Andor!
Viva os Homens da Banda!

The ‘Feste Grande’ is when the farewell is made, and the Sovereign Mother is carried back to her sanctuary. The sculpture dates back to the late 16th/early 17th century and her sanctuary from 1533. There is now a new church beside the old chapel, and both are worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. Here’s my post from a previous visit.