When did the St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal start?
About St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal Holiday
Welcome to St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal! Every year on September 21, Portugal celebrates St. Matthew’s Day with a festive and joyous party atmosphere. This year’s celebrations, in the year 2023, will be no different.
St. Matthew’s Day is a holiday that pays homage to the life and teachings of St. Matthew, the Apostle. The festivities take place all over Portugal and include cultural music, dancing, delicious food, and special services in churches honoring St. Matthew. Music and dance have been part of Portugal’s traditions for centuries, and will play a major role in this year’s St. Matthew’s Day celebrations. Festivities will also include making special decorations such as porcelain figures and colorful glass mosaics featuring St. Matthew in honor of this blessed day.
St. Matthew’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the life and teachings of a figure in Christian tradition who is revered and honored throughout Portugal. There will be a spirit of joyous celebration throughout the country and joining in the festivities is the perfect way to demonstrate your respect and appreciate for St. Matthew’s legacy. We invite you to join us this year in Portugal to take part in this wonderful tradition and to be part of the beautiful celebrations of St. Matthew’s Day.
History and Origin of St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal
The observance of St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal dates back to the 19th century when Portugal experienced a significant religious revival, evident in the rise of many Catholic religious devotions. The story behind this holiday is the story of the life and works of St. Matthew, an evangelist, author of the first Gospel, and one of the twelve apostles. The holiday started around 1848 when a small group of people from the village of Gondomar in the northern part of Portugal decided to hold an annual mass in honor of St. Matthew.
The mass, typically celebrated with a parade, liturgical services, and traditional Portuguese singing, is one of the oldest popular feasts celebrated in Portugal. Through the years, the devotion to St. Matthew has grown to encompass other parts of Portugal, particularly the municipalities of Barcelos, Paio Pires, Corroios, Seixal, and Costa de Caparica in the greater Lisbon area, and parts of the Algarve, namely Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim, and Tavira.
Although the celebration of St. Matthew’s Day is primarily a religious holiday in Portugal, it has also become a cultural event, an opportunity for the people to gather and to celebrate the history and culture of the country. The festivities, which take place throughout the year, mainly focus on the recognition and veneration of this important figure in the Christian faith.
Significance and Meaning
The celebration of St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal is an important cultural event for the Portuguese people. It is an acknowledgement of the importance of St. Matthew’s contributions to the Catholic faith and to the religious traditions of Portugal. In addition, the holiday is an opportunity for the people to celebrate the values and traditions of Portugal and the spirit of its people, an important moment for Portuguese culture and identity.
The holiday also serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and the value of community. It is a time when people come together to reflect on their beliefs and the impact that one person can have on the community. Additionally, it is a time to celebrate the contributions of St. Matthew to the religious and cultural heritage of Portugal.
Traditions and Celebrations
The traditional celebration of St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal is observed by religious processions throughout the country. A folk festivity takes place in Gondomar in which the figure of San Mateo (St. Matthew) is processed through the streets of the city. In the city of Barcelos, the celebration is marked by a solemn Mass celebrated in the Church of St. Matthew, followed by a parade and the traditional “custumeiro” performance, in which the participants dress in regional clothes and perform folk dances.
In the municipality of Paio Pires, the celebration of St. Matthew’s Day is a traditional folk festival that takes place in the afternoon. The event begins with a procession of the statue of St. Matthew, followed by the dance of the “biné”, the traditional traditional dresses of the region, and the performance of a group of “romarias” or pilgrims who sing religious songs during their procession around the city.
In Corroios, the celebration of St. Matthew’s Day is marked by the traditional procession of the saint’s statue, a custom that dates back to the 19th century. In Seixal, the holiday is celebrated with a traditional festivity in the town square. It includes singing, dancing, and music that evoke the Portuguese culture and pay tribute to St. Matthew.
Geographical Spread
St. Matthew’s Day is celebrated throughout Portugal, with the most prominent celebrations taking place in the northern part of the country. The holiday is also celebrated in regions like the Algarve, with celebrations primarily taking place in the municipalities of Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim, and Tavira.
In addition, St. Matthew’s Day is celebrated in other parts of the world, most notably in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. In the United States, the holiday is observed mostly in Portuguese communities, where it is celebrated with folk festivals, processions, and traditional performances. In Canada, the holiday is typically celebrated with religious Masses and the traditional Portuguese folk festival.
Modern Day Observations
Modern day observances of St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal remain largely faithful to the traditions and customs of the past. The festivities still center around a religious procession, complete with a statue of St. Matthew, traditional dances, and musical performances. In recent years, the celebrations have also spread to the digital realm with the advent of social media and the use of hashtags to create an online community dedicated to the celebration of St. Matthew.
Despite the changes in technology and society, the importance of St. Matthew’s Day as a religious and cultural holiday remains intact in Portugal. The celebrations continue to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together in a shared experience of faith, community, and cultural pride.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
1. While St. Matthew’s Day is a public holiday in Portugal, it is not a legal holiday and most businesses remain open.
2. St. Matthew’s Day is typically celebrated on the 20th of September and is observed in honor of the Feast of St. Matthew, the tax collector-turned-apostle who wrote the beloved gospel about Jesus Christ.
3. On St. Matthew’s Day, the practice of blessing animals, believed to be a way to honor St. Matthew, is a popular tradition in many parts of Portugal.
4. As a symbol of the holiday, images of St. Matthew are often hung in public places, often on the exterior walls of homes or in the town squares.
5. The traditional folk dances of the region, such as the quadrilha, are often performed in honor of St. Matthew on his day.
Holiday Wishes
1. Wishing you and your family a blessed St. Matthew’s Day.
2. May you be surrounded by peace and love on St. Matthew’s Day.
3. May your faith be your guide on St. Matthew’s Day.
4. Wishing you joy and prosperity on St. Matthew’s Day
5. Wishing you the blessings of St. Matthew on this special day.
Holiday Messages
1. May you find comfort and strength in the stories of St. Matthew this holiday season.
2. May the miracle of St. Matthew bring hope and joy to your lives.
3. May St. Matthew’s Day bring you peace and tranquility.
4. Celebrate the teachings of St. Matthew with joy and gratitude.
5. Share the power of St. Matthew with those around you.
Holiday Quotes
1. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” — St. Matthew 24:35
2. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — St. Matthew 16:26
3. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” — St. Matthew 7:12
4. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — St. Matthew 6:33
5. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” — St. Matthew 18:11
Other Popular Holiday Info
In addition to religious observances, St. Matthew’s Day is also celebrated for its cultural importance. The holiday is a reminder of the region’s medieval origins and the rich cultural heritage of Portugal. It is a celebration of the spirit of the Portuguese people, their beliefs, and their culture.
The festivities of St. Matthew’s Day are an important time for community and family gatherings. People come together to share in the spirit of the holiday, to eat traditional Portuguese dishes, and to reflect on the contributions that St. Matthew has made to their culture and lives.
For the people of Portugal, St. Matthew’s Day is a reminder of the importance of faith, family, and culture. It is a day to celebrate the courage and resilience of the Portuguese people and their commitment to preserving their culture and heritage.
St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal Also Called
St. Matthew's Day, Portugal is traditionally known as the Festival of St. Matthew or São Mateus.
FUN FACT:
In year 1272, St. Matthew’s Day in Portugal is celebrated on September 21 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!