09/22/2025
PORTUGAL REPOST
Touring Portugal in April 2026. IM [email protected] for more detailed information.
Yesterday, was one of those days in Lisbon when a deep sense of gratitude overtook me for the beauty of life and cultural legacy. My wife Rose and I joined the Brazilian community in the celebration known as the "Lavagem de Santo Antonio" (the washing of Saint Anthony). The tradition originated in the state of Bahia in Brazil, and consists of washing the steps to a church named after Saint Anthony. What makes it special is the African essence of the celebration, guided by the Orixas, deities of the Yoruba religion which crossed the oceans through slavery to Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. For Rose and me, it was a sort of a home coming, right here in Lisboa. We started the day at the Luis Camoes Plaza in Chiado and marched to drum beats, dance and prayers to the Igreja Santo de Antonio where the steps of the church were washed with holy water blessed with flowers in the Condomble tradition by the Babalorixa and Lalorixa (male and female priests). That was followed by a massive sprinkling of the blessed water upon the crowds gathered there. I got a good dose of the water blessing. Gratitude! Thank God my camera gear is water resistant!
I invite you to slowly contemplate these images, feel the joy, love, celebration, and spirit of holiness. African culture is alive in Lisbon. Blessings! 🫶🏽🙏🏽
