Nossa Senhora d’Agonia

Heading out from Praia do Ancora we walked along the coast and came across another ceremony. This was a smaller ceremony than the one of the festival in Vianna do Castelo but the meaning is the same.

On the day of Nossa Senhora d’Agonia, on August 20th, one of the most memorable events of the Romaria takes place. An ancient devotion of the fishermen to their patron saint, whom they ask for protection in their greatest times of need and to whom, on this day, they give thanks and fulfil their promises and vows.

The end of the mass signals the beginning of the Procession out to Sea. During the procession, the men wearing their finest plaid shirts, as the traditions of the sea dictate, carry the floats with the various saints, on their shoulders out to the quay, always surrounded by their devout wives.

We arrived as the boats were returning and the priest was there and they all proceeded back to the church.Read more