The Serreta festival, in honor of Our Lady of Miracles, will be the last major summer celebration in diocesan shrines and will once again be presided over by the Bishop of Angra on September 14, at 4:00 p.m.

The first Religious Festival of Our Lady of Miracles took place on September 11, 1764, under the patronage of the Liturgical Festival of the Nativity (birth) of Our Lady, which is celebrated by the Church on September 8. Whenever that day does not coincide with a Sunday, it is always celebrated on the second Sunday of the month. It is a significant religious festival on Terceira Island in the summer.

According to historical records, this festival originated in the 17th century and is linked to several difficult moments in the history of the archipelago and Portugal, with communities turning to Mary for hope and solace. Notably, Portugal was involved in the war between France and Spain against England during this period. At a time when Terceira Island had no fortifications and was almost defenseless, the authorities and the people turned their hopes to the intercession of Our Lady of Miracles, whose image was placed in the church of Doze Ribeiras. A promise was made that if the island did not suffer any enemy attack, the community would hold an annual festival in honor of Our Lady, which came to pass. Although the first celebration took place on September 11, 1764, this devotion was definitively established in 1842. Construction of the church began in 1819, under the leadership of General Francisco António de Araújo, and was completed in 1842.

Since then, particularly with greater intensity since it became a sanctuary, the Serreta festival has become one of the most popular among pilgrims from all over the island, who converge on this place on Terceira Island on foot or by car.

This year, the festival, which takes place on the early morning of September 14, the main day, will feature three hours of Eucharistic Adoration for Peace, from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. It will be preached by Father António Santos, parish priest of Cabo da Praia and Porto Martins, on Terceira Island. The novena will feature daily meditated rosary prayers, starting at 7:30 p.m. and beginning on September 5. Mass, with preaching, will take place at 8:00 p.m.

On Sunday, the main day of the festival, three Masses will be celebrated before the festival Mass, which will be presided over by D. Armando Esteves Domingues at 4:00 p.m., followed by a procession.

In Correio dos Açores, Natalino Viveiros, director.

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