Igreja Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz do Candal

Could a church be born from a simple decree? At Igreja Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz do Candal, the answer is a resounding yes. This church, right before us, stands as a testament to a unique and relatively recent origin. Igreja Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz do Candal wasn’t always a parish. It began as an experiment. On April 13, 1965, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Porto, D. Florentino, issued a decree. This decree granted quasi-parochial jurisdiction to Father Joaquim de Oliveira Alves Correia. He was tasked with serving the families in the Candal area. The decree meticulously outlined the provisional boundaries of this new community. It specified the north, east, south, and west limits, encompassing the heart of Candal. Interestingly, the decree acknowledged the possibility of these boundaries changing before the official establishment of the parish. This shows the evolving nature of the church’s early days. Igreja Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz do Candal was dedicated on September 14, 2008. Just sixteen years later, the community gathered to celebrate this anniversary. Bishop Manuel Linda presided over the ceremony. He emphasized the unique symbolism of Christ’s cross. He reminded everyone that the cross represents salvation, not suffering. The dedication anniversary also included a poignant remembrance of Father Amorim. He had prepared and led the choir for the original dedication ceremony. He had passed away on the same day sixteen years later. The anniversary was part of a larger celebration. The Festa do Senhor da Vera Cruz, a vibrant festival honoring the church’s patron saint, takes place annually from September 13th to 15th. This festival includes a solemn mass and a procession with beautifully decorated floats. Igreja Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz do Candal’s story is a modern tale of a community’s faith. It showcases how a church can grow from a simple decree into a place of worship and celebration.