On Sunday, at 8am, Mass will be celebrated in English in the parish church of São José, aimed at tourists and some emigrants who have more difficulty understanding Portuguese,” said Canon Manuel Carlos Sousa Alves.

The rector of the Senhor Santo Cristo Sanctuary addressed the media at the Esperança convent during the presentation of this year’s festivities, which will take place from May 3 to 9.

Asked why the Mass was being held in English, Carlos Sousa Alves said it was essential to provide this “service to people” who don’t understand Portuguese.

“Many people come from abroad and don’t speak Portuguese. It’s important to provide this service and we have someone who can do it properly,” he stressed.

The highlight of the festivities is scheduled for May 5, with the procession of the image of Santo Cristo dos Milagres at 16:30.

Bishop Myron Cotta, from Stockton, California, “son of Azorean parents, but already born in the United States,” will preside over the festivities this year.

“We will try not to change the format of the celebrations because any change, however justifiable, causes noise, so we will keep the format of the celebrations that existed before the pandemic,” he said.

The rector of the most important shrine in the Azorean diocese also called for “restraint in consumption, respect for the environment” and compliance with the “guidelines of law enforcement officials”.

“People’s safety is an asset that should concern us all. There will inevitably be moments of tension and everyone must use their best human qualities to overcome difficulties.”

As for the profane part, the head of the Brotherhood of the Holy Christ said that there will be 10 to 12 restaurants on Kopke Avenue and that more than 20 philharmonic bands will take part in the event, highlighting the presence of the Recreio dos Artistas philharmonic from Terceira island.

Ombudsman Carlos Faria e Maia also said that the car parade in the São Francisco field was not on the program for safety reasons, since “it has reached a level that cannot be disciplined”.

During the session, the cloak that will dress the image of the Holy Christ this year was also presented, a gift from a family of believers from the parish of Santa Bárbara in Ponta Delgada.

in Açorinao Oriental-Ponta Delgada, Azores.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.