A Catholic and very religious population
Catholic at 99%, this cult leaves very little room for other practices. The religious landscape is not diverse. There are churches everywhere, but no mosques, synagogues or temples. Faith is practiced and expressed with immense fervor, sometimes bordering on the mystical on certain religious holidays. The churches are full every Sunday, and the atmosphere is indescribable. Everyone puts on their best clothes, and every week is a moment of sharing not to be missed. Religious beliefs and symbols extend far beyond this sphere: Ponta Delgada's national stadium and airport are named after John Paul II! In addition to the traditional festivals of the religious calendar, there are many other events throughout the year. Catholicism is everywhere and all the time, and the Azoreans get back to it on many occasions. We'd like to take this opportunity to warn you: religious festivals and churches are not tourist attractions! Please respect these traditions, places of worship and rituals. Be moderate when taking photos, and dress appropriately if you wish to take part in one of these events.
Remarkable churches
It seems that for the Portuguese, any opportunity was a good one to build a church. When they set out to discover the world, every time they set foot on land, a church sprang up. When they survived a storm, a church. To thank the Blessed Virgin for saving them from pirates, a church. To make amends for not having taken pity on the pirates, a church. As you can see, there's no shortage of churches in the Azores. Some of them are particularly remarkable and well worth a visit. The churches of São Sebastião and São Pedro in Ponta Delgada, one Gothic, the other Baroque, are magnificent examples of the archipelago's religious architectural treasures. In Vila Franca do Campo, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz is famous for its location. Built into the mountainside, it dominates the entire region. In Angra do Heroismo, the church of São Gonçalo abounds in sculpted jacarandas and azulejos. Nossa Senhora de Ajuda is an unusual chapel perched on the Graciosa volcano. The site is truly picturesque, and two other chapels stand beside it. Finally, the church of Nossa Senhora de Conceiçao in Santa Cruz is certainly one of the most imposing and impressive in the entire archipelago.
The cult of death
Don't be surprised if you come across women dressed in black... This tradition continues and is still deeply rooted in Azorean religious customs, particularly among the older generations. In Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, it is not uncommon for widows to wear black clothes long after their husbands have died. More than a simple practice, this shows how close Azorean society is to religion, and how Catholic cults and customs are reflected in everyday life. In this case, black is the color worn at the funeral, but also well beyond, sometimes for the rest of the widow's life. A remarkable and powerful sign.
The cult of the Holy Spirit
Various miracles are attributed to the Holy Spirit: in 1761, a strong lava flow during the eruption of a volcano on the island of Terceira, towards the Serra de Santa Bárbara, was said to have been deflected by a crown placed on the path; during the 1808 eruption in São Jorge that destroyed Urzelina, a small house was said to have been preserved, even though it housed the wine that was to be distributed on the day of Pentecost. The curious thing is that faith in the Holy Spirit goes hand in hand with an intimate belief in divine punishment if one does not respect His will. Over the centuries, the Church has always sought to ban certain secular festivals in order to "moralize" them, threatening them with excommunication or imposing financial fines. These censures put an end to festivals throughout the first half of the 17th century. It wasn't until 1655 that they were authorized again, under the aegis of the Count of Ribeira Grande, Dom Manuel da Câmara.
Today, the cult of the Holy Spirit continues to play an important role in Azorean life. It is widespread throughout the archipelago and is an essential element of religious culture. For 8 weeks, between Easter Sunday and Trinity Day, these feasts are celebrated in different ways on all the islands. The rituals and festivities are unique to each island and attract large crowds, but what they have in common is that they are major events that are prepared months (or even years!) in advance. Every town and village has its own "imperio": a small Gothic or Romanesque chapel, often with colorful walls, dedicated to the worship of the Holy Spirit. The architecture varies from island to island, and the colors change according to the neighborhoods and the paint left over. These places of worship are only open during the festive weeks in summer, and house pious images, cultural objects and the famous Emperor's Crown. Please note: although this celebration is splendid on every island, it is most picturesque on Terceira.
Superstitions, fate and destiny
The Azores, the lost gardens of the Atlantic, islands populated by the imagination... In the past, distance has accentuated myths. Land of legends, superstitions and the presence of witches are often suggested. The remains of Atlantis would have even floated there... Many legends and anecdotes were reported by sailors. Depending on a rather hostile nature, don't the layers of paint accumulated on the houses serve to exorcise all the evil spells that Neptune brings to these lands? Rather fatalistic and of the kind to rely on their destiny, there are still sacrileges to be avoided, such as not rebuilding a church after an earthquake. It is with these beliefs, superstitions and the vagaries of the land they live on that the Azoresians make up.
