The Sardoal Holy Week program, which runs until April 20, features churches and chapels adorned with flower petals, involving extensive community participation. A series of processions are also taking place, with the Lord of Mercy procession (referred to as the Procession of Lanterns) on the night of Thursday, April 17, being the most attended.
“It is a scene of faith and tradition that reflects this community’s historical devotion,” stated Miguel Borges, the Mayor of Sardoal, highlighting the “unique pieces” that are the natural flower carpets decorating the floors of local temples.
The mayor noted that these “unique pieces reflect the [town’s] inhabitants’ devotion,” with each temple being decorated by a team, association, or group of residents volunteering for the task.
Miguel Borges added that the work of adorning the churches and chapels “continues throughout the night of Wednesday, April 16, involving Christians and non-Christians, young people, and individuals of all ages,” during a period that unites the people of the town. These flower carpets will be on display between April 17 and April 20.
The Sardoal Holy Week includes a complementary program featuring exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural events. It commenced with the Procession of the Stations of the Cross, continuing with the Palm Sunday procession on April 13, the Procession of Lanterns on April 17, and the Lord’s Burial procession on April 18, culminating with the Resurrection Procession on Easter Sunday, April 20.
“The values of faith and tradition characterize this time with features that distinguish us from other communities and regions because, beyond the religious aspect, they are pillars of our history, our culture, and serve as strong references for the population,” Miguel Borges remarked, emphasizing “a time of sharing, social gathering, and reunification of faith for believers, as well as a reunion of families and friends.”
Shrouded in an aura of mysticism reflected by the silence of the crowd throughout the route, the Procession of Lanterns, to be held on Thursday at 9:30 PM, stands out as the most significant religious manifestation because of the large number of participants, noted Miguel Borges.
During this procession, the public street lights are turned off along the route, which is illuminated solely by candles, torches, and lamps.
Hundreds of glass lanterns are lit at the windows, balconies, and railings along the way, while thousands of oil and wax lamps move with the rhythm of the funeral marches played by the Sardoalense Union Philharmonic.
The Brotherhood of the Holy House of Mercy of Sardoal leads the procession, wearing black cloaks, with members carrying panels depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ and large historical torches known as lanterns.
Following the Procession of Lanterns, on Friday at 7:30 PM, the town hosts the Lord’s Burial Procession.
The Brotherhoods of the True Cross and the Blessed Sacrament participate in this celebration, concluding with the Burial of Christ at the Main Church.
On Easter Sunday, the Resurrection Procession begins at 10:00 AM.
During Holy Week, the streets of the town are carpeted with flowers and greenery, and many homes display draped blankets from their windows, creating a solemn and festive atmosphere.
The celebrations start two weeks before the liturgical calendar’s Easter date with the “Stations of the Cross” procession and conclude 50 days after Easter Sunday with the “Holy Spirit Festival” or “Festival of Bodo.”
The Sardoal Holy Week and Holy Spirit Festival were included in 2023 in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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