Processions mark the last day of the Festival of Crosses

Processions mark the last day of the Festival of Crosses

The religious program of the Festa das Cruzes, in Serzedelo, presents us with two processions. “In the Procession of the Lord to the Distressed/sick, during the morning, where the streets are covered with simple and beautiful flowered carpets, along with the Eucharistic communion, which we take to the sick (this year there will be 18), we commune with those who, in home, they take care of the sick/bed-ridden”, highlights Father José Marques. In the afternoon, “Via Lucis” stands out, which functions as the Liturgy of the Word of the Eucharist. The 16 flowered crosses, where we meditate on the appearances of the Resurrected Jesus, are a sign of celebration, joy and victory: Resurrection! The flowers that cover the wood of the Cross represent our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, in which we participate. United with Him in pain, with Him, and with others, we will come out of it”, praises the priest, adding: “This year, we will celebrate in an even more intense way, thanking God for the gift of the life of Frei Lopes Morgado, Capuchin Franciscan, creator of this celebration, who passed away on March 1st, at the age of 85, at the Amial fraternity (Porto)”.

“Increasingly, because we live in a small world (the different wars going on around the world prove this), and, what seems to happen far away, quickly “knocks on our door”, we often hear the words “partnership and resilience” . “The Church already had them, she calls them “communion and perseverance”. “Because this festival reflects joint work (with those from home and abroad), in caring for the sick, in making flowery carpets, in cleaning crosses, in generational exchange, I would like this communion and perseverance to come out reinforced after the pilgrimage ends”, highlights the parish priest in the message he leaves to the community.

Parish Council and Municipality met to start candidacy for Intangible Heritage

It is an old ambition to elevate the Festa das Cruzes de Serzedelo to Cultural and Intangible Heritage. The president of the Parish Council, Cristiano Ferreira, hopes to see this goal achieved.

Cristiano Ferreira received us at the headquarters of the Parish Council and explained to us that he had met with Father [José Marques] and with the councilor for Culture [Paulo Lopes Silva] to begin the process for the Festa das Cruzes candidacy to the National Inventory of Cultural and Intangible Heritage. “It has to take a little time through the municipality and we hope to achieve it, it may take a few years, but these steps have to be taken”. “It’s a unique festival, with a cleaning of crosses that isn’t found anywhere else and I think it’s important that everyone gets involved in this”, considers the president of the Board.

Cristiano Ferreira also mentions “the involvement of the population”, both in the creation of the crosses and in the cleanliness of the carpets. “The essence of the Festa das Cruzes” also involves community involvement, he emphasizes.

The requalification carried out in the heart of Serzedelo will bring more functionality and a renewed image to the village. “The work is practically complete, details are missing, now we have a completely different business card”. The inauguration should take place at the beginning of June, but, according to the president of the Board, anyone who travels through the area, whether on foot or by car, will already see a renovated town with significant improvements in traffic circulation. “At the time of the works it was very complicated, it is understandable, especially commerce suffered as a result, but people in general feel that our town has become more pleasant”, he concluded.

Program

Sunday, May 5th

08h00 – Eucharist

08:45 – Entrance of the Arnoso Philharmonic Band and entrance of the Fanfarra CNE 84 of Serzedelo

09:00 – Procession of the Lord to the Entranced

2:30 pm – Festival Committee Ceremony

15h00 – Via Lucis followed by the Eucharist

16h00 – Folklore Group of the Casa do Povo of Serzedelo, Folklore Group ACR Conde and Regional Folklore and Agricultural Group of Pevidém

7pm – Raffle draw

8pm – End of the party with fireworks