Penultimate Sunday in AugustNossa Senhora do Amparo, Felgar, Torre de Moncorvo, Bragança, Norte, PortugalOn the high seas between Brazil and his home in Portugal, Commander Francisco António Pires (d. 1901) encountered a terrifying storm, vowing to build a chapel to Our Lady of Support if he survived. That was the origin of the shrine in northeastern Portugal where a commemorative festa takes place on the next-to-last Sunday of August. Festivities begin on Thursday with a series of band concerts. Sunrise on Sunday is greeted with a mortar salute. A variety of bands accompany every activity: the procession from the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Amparo to the town church; solemn mass; the Majestic Procession back to the sanctuary with Our Lady's statue; the return to town; Grand Fireworks at 1 am, and music until dawn. Sources include:
Also commemorated this day:
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