Ascension Thursday, known as Espiga Day, is celebrated in Vila Franca de Xira with the traditional pilgrimage to Senhor da Boa Morte em Povos. This year the celebrations take place on May 9th.
The fair opens at 10 am and half an hour later the pilgrims meet at the Pelourinho de Povos square to walk the two kilometers up to the top of the sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Boa Morte. At 11:00 am the Eucharist for the solemnity of the Lord’s ascension begins and at 12:30 pm the traditional procession takes place around the sanctuary and the blessing of the fields, the city and the viewpoint.
After lunch there is folklore at 3:30 pm, followed by a popular dance from 4:00 pm, entertained by Quim Botas.
The fair provides bar service and pig on a skewer during the festivities.
The celebration of Espiga Day in Vila Franca de Xira is organized by the Parish of São Vicente Mártir, Misericórdia de Vila Franca de .
The story goes that the chapel where the ceremony takes place was named Santa Maria dos Povos, whose festival was celebrated every year after Easter Sunday. Devotion to the image of the Lord of the Good Death dates back to the 18th century and occurred with the discovery, near the church, of an image of the dead Jesus Christ. Devotion to this image became so established among the people of Ribatejo that, when the church was rebuilt, after the 1755 earthquake, its name changed from Santa Maria dos Povos to the chapel of Senhor da Boa Morte. The name “Senhor da Boa Morte” is due to the people of Lezírias and the many tragedies that afflicted them.
