São Tiago Menor — Querubim divino armado (in portuguese)

«At the beginning of the 16th century, the plague haunted the prosperity that Madeira was then experiencing, with its economy based on the production and trade of sugar – the white gold.

500 years ago, on June 8, 1521, the City Council of Funchal elected a saint protector against the plague, which raged in the city and beyond, being elected, by lot, Saint James the Minor. A commitment was soon made to build a “house” for this patron saint, that is, a chapel or church, whose construction began immediately on the 21st of July. On January 24, 1523, in the choir of the Cathedral of Funchal, with the presence of the governing bodies and the clergy, the vow to Saint James the Minor was renewed, with the promise of an annual feast, always with a procession, in his praise, on the 1st of May, a day dedicated to the saint in Madeira, a tradition that has continued to this day, even after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), obtaining specific authorization from the Diocese of Funchal for this practice, on the 23rd of July, 1971, through the Sacra Congregatio Pro Cultu Divino, signed by Arturus Card. Tabera.

Since 1521, an image of Saint James the Minor has been used in cultural and devotional ceremonies to the saint — a small oil painting on oak wood, attributed to the Flemish painter Dieric Bouts (Haarlem, c.1420-1475) or to a follower, dated from the second half of the 15th century, which was considered a miraculous image. It should be noted that this painting predates the construction of the Cathedral, possibly coming from the old and demolished Church of Nossa Senhora do Calhau or from a chapel, altar or private oratory, given its small size (H.107 x W.42cm ).

In 1538, the miracle of Saint James the Minor occurred when the plague was eradicated on the island. Other phenomena are attributed to miracles through the intercession of São Tiago Menor, to whom the Madeirans are devoted. »

The devotion, history and patrimony affections, directly or indirectly, to Saint James the Minor, are approached in this book in a historical and religious perspective.»

Details

Author: Paulo Ladeira, Rita Rodrigues

Edition: Câmara Municipal do Funchal

Year: 2021

Language: Portuguese

Pages: 160

Format: paperback

Dimensions: 16,2 x 24 x 1,2 cm

ISBN: 978-972-9141-70-6