The 8th of December in Portugal is a cherished holiday and a day of jubilation. As someone passionate about sharing Portuguese culture, I’m excited to delve into the unique aspects of this national holiday.
The Divine Origin
At its core, this celebration pays homage to the life and virtue of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, conceived without blemish, free from the stain of original sin. The declaration of this concept as a Catholic dogma on December 8th, 1854, laid the foundation for the commemoration we embrace today.
Centuries-Old Proclamation
Long before achieving dogma status, the feast was universally declared in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV. Fast forward to the 25th of March, 1646, when King D. João IV orchestrated a solemn ceremony in Vila Viçosa, expressing gratitude to Our Lady for Portugal’s restoration of independence from Spain. It was during this momentous occasion that he declared the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição as the patroness and queen of Portugal. Remarkably, from that day forward, NO Portuguese monarch wore a crown, a privilege reserved exclusively for the Imaculada Conceição. This is why subsequent portraits of reigning monarchs were always depicted with the crown jewels by their side.
This ceremony replaced the traditional coronation customs and was called Aclamação.
King João IV justified this departure from tradition with a profound sentiment: “God has, through her intercession, granted me the privilege to take possession of the Crown and Sceptre, allowing me to reign over my free kingdoms liberated from the burdensome captivity of Castile.” This act marked the commencement of a unique Portuguese royal tradition, intertwining the sacred and regal in a manner unlike any other in European history.
Did you know?
Interestingly, for centuries, the 8th of December was the chosen date to celebrate Mother’s Day in Portugal. The celebration’s date shifted to May, aligning with the Catholic tradition of honouring Mary, the mother of Jesus. This adjustment, while altering the date, preserved the heartfelt significance of honouring motherhood.
Another cultural tradition is to set up the Christmas tree on this day. This tradition is still observed by many to this day, even though the proper day to do so is the first Sunday of Advent. The fact that the 8th is a Bank Holiday and that much closer to Christmas makes it a favourite among the Portuguese to get the decorations out and put them up.
The Universal Connection
The celebration of the Immaculate Conception is not unique to Portugal. Spain, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, Angola, and Brazil (choosing the second Sunday of May) all join in celebrating motherhood in different ways. The word “Mãe” (Mother) itself carries a universal resonance, starting with the letter M in various languages, underscoring the fundamental nature of this familial bond.
The image shows some symbols that have special meanings for Christians. They are:
- The half-moon under Mary’s feet means that she gets her light from Jesus, who is like the sun. It also means that she is pure and sinless, even though she was born in a world full of sin.
- The snake under Mary’s feet means that she defeats the devil, because she is free from sin and gave birth to Jesus, who died and rose again to save us from sin.
- The cloud and the angels under Mary’s feet mean that she is in heaven with God and the angels, and that she helps us by praying for us.
- Mary’s hands together near her heart mean that she prays a lot and that she wants us to pray too. Prayer makes us closer to God and heals our hearts.
- Mary’s blue cloak with gold decorations means that she is the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Blue is the colour of heaven, and gold is the colour of royalty.
University Traditions
In Coimbra, the celebration extends to the academic realm. The University of Coimbra pays homage to the Imaculada Conceição, with a tradition dating back to the 17th century. King D. João IV, in the courts of 1646, declared the Virgin Nossa Senhora da Conceição as the patroness of the Kingdom of Portugal. This historic bond led to a commitment by students at the University of Coimbra to defend the Immaculate Conception before receiving their degrees.
Universidade de Coimbra