Now at the end of the first Jubilee of the millennium, which, curiously, unfolded against a backdrop of highly turbulent global politics and economies, marred by wars and growing social and religious fundamentalism, today is a day of mystical and mythical pause for Catholic believers, with the moving and ever-sweet celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, whom popular piety has christened Our Lady of the Conception.

In this archipelago of the Azores, which begins with Santa Maria de Agosto, on the island of the same name, and ends with the Virgin of Miracles on the island of Corvo, there are two strong moments in Mariological invocations. If on August 15, the cult of Mary multiplies in dozens of invocations, ranging from Our Lady of the Assumption, of the Angels, of Ajuda, of Guia, of Health, or of Miracles, on this December 8th there is a uniformity of names around the biblical prerogative of the immaculate conception, of the one who was chosen to be the Mother of the Redeemer.

A celebration that spans centuries and dates back almost to the beginning of Portuguese nationality in the 14th century in Coimbra and the Coronation of Vila Viçosa, long before the respective dogma was proclaimed by Pius IX in 1854.

Among us, from its Sanctuary, on one of the most beautiful hills in the city of Angra, the first Marian sanctuary erected in the Azores, in the time of D. Aurélio Granada Escudeiro, to the humblest parish, passing through the past and nostalgic brilliance and splendor of the Church of São Sebastião, Matriz de Ponta Delgada, three different concepts, but perfectly reconcilable, come together on this day: Faith, religiosity, and traditions.

And any of these concepts contains more than enough reasons to celebrate. Sometimes, manifestations of religiosity may not be a sign of Faith, which is something much deeper and which means that what one believes in is not just theoretical, philosophical, or theological belief, but has practical consequences in everyday life. But when religious manifestations derive from belief rather than tradition, then we have room for a different presence in today’s world.

It may be redundant to say that external signs are needed today. But it must be noted that traditions should not be maintained simply because they are traditions, but because they make sense at any time. In the specific case of the Azores, and particularly Ponta Delgada and other cities and towns, the cult of the Immaculate Conception has been mixed, or perhaps more accurately, “wrapped up” in the commercialization of Christmas. This has been to such an extent that, for many, the holiday (rather than a holy day) has become known as “Window Display Day.” As in all things, nothing is immutable; if a few years ago it was on that day that Christmas sales began, today, at the end of October, this has already begun. Christmas, which is only one day, has expanded into a three-month commercial cycle, perhaps losing much of its previous impact and strength.

That is why we said that for those who have faith, traditions, while having their place, cannot overshadow or override the true spirit of the celebrations. In this regard, the religiosity of the Azorean people teaches us great lessons, keeping intact many of the forms of praise to Mary, since, below the cult of the Divine Holy Spirit that unites all the islands, the Marian cult, so dear to the Franciscans to whom much of the religious foundation of our communities is owed, is one of the most significant aspects of life on the islands. Most of the churches in the Azores are dedicated to Marian invocations, from Santa Maria to Corvo. Their celebrations are spread throughout the year, with a special focus now in December with the Immaculate Conception, in February with Our Lady of the Stars, later in May with the Virgin of Fatima, and with another high point in August with Our Lady of the Assumption!

We must not forget, and the older generation will still miss this, that it was on this day, December 8, that Mother’s Day was celebrated, which, to satisfy the desire for religious separation, was moved to May to create another moment of commerce. But today, many Azoreans feel that Mary’s motherhood is a sublime mirror of the most beautiful thing we have in life: our Mother! To all of them, here or in another dimension of existence, a special look and affection on this day!

And, on a personal note, this is also the big day for the land where I was born, Ribeira das Tainhas, where this feast has been celebrated since the 19th century, with the curiosity of many generations of inhabitants who had their First Communion on this day, which was always December 8. After an extensive program, today, weather permitting, after the solemn Mass at 2:30 p.m., the procession will leave through the streets of the parish, a procession that has been going on for three centuries. Also noteworthy is the 6 a.m. Dawn Mass, with the Serenade Groups from Vila Franca and Ponta Garça.

Faith, religiosity, and tradition embrace this day when the name of Mother has all the fullness of presence and love. Because, as in the Apocalypse, “The People saw a great sign.”

Saints Narciso is the assistant director of the newspaper Atlântico Expresso

NOVIDADES will feature occasional opinion pieces from various leading thinkers and writers in the Azores, providing the diaspora and those interested in the current state of the Azores with insight into the diverse opinions on some of the archipelago’s key issues.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL).