Votive procession of 9 October
Original title: Procissão votiva de 9 de Outubro
Votive procession held each 9 October in Funchal, instituted in 1803 by the bishop, chapter and town council to seek the Virgin's protection after the flood of 9 October 1803.
On 13 November 1803, in the presence of Bishop Dom Luís Rodrigues Vilares, the cathedral chapter and the rest of the clergy in the choir of the Cathedral (Sé Catedral), it was unanimously resolved to hold a procession on 9 October each year in honour of the patronage of the Virgin, in order to obtain the protection of the Mother of God and prevent any repetition of the disasters and damage caused by the flash flood (aluvião) of 9 October of the same year. The Municipal Council (Câmara Municipal) had already taken the same decision on 11 November. In accordance with these resolutions, a procession was held for many years that set out from the Sé and made its way to the church of Santa Maria Maior (St Mary Major), accompanied by the ecclesiastical and civil authorities, the municipality and the clergy. This procession, which is often moved to the Sunday nearest to 9 October, is still held today, but it now goes only round the churchyard of the Sé, accompanied by the confraternity of the parish. (See Vow to the Blessed Virgin.)
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 01-
The great flood of 9 October 1803, considered Madeira's greatest calamity, devastated Funchal and other parts of the island, killing about 600 people and destroying the Calhau church, stream walls, bridges and chapels in Machico, Santa Cruz and elsewhere. It prompted Oudinot's mission and the city's spread outwards.
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The Funchal town council, and then Bishop D. Luís Rodrigues de Vilares and the cathedral chapter, vowed an annual votive procession and feast every 9 October in honour of Our Lady's patronage.
Place
Places mentioned · 02
- Church of St Mary Major
Funchal. Church to which the procession went for many years.
The Igreja de Santa Maria Maior, formerly the church of São Tiago Menor (Socorro), is a parish church in Funchal above the Barreirinha beach. It became the seat of one of Funchal's two parishes in 1558 and stood next to the old hospital. It was the destination of several processions, including the patronal procession to St James.
- Funchal Cathedral (the Sé)
Funchal. Cathedral where the procession was decided and from which it departs.
The Sé do Funchal is the cathedral of Funchal, in the parish of Sé. It was begun in 1493, became a parish seat in 1508 and a cathedral in 1514. It was the starting point of processions and the place of the vow to São Tiago, and bishops are buried there.
People
People mentioned · 01- D. Luís Rodrigues de Vilaresd. 1810
Bishop of Funchal who with the chapter resolved in 1803 to hold an annual votive procession after the great flood.