The traditional Monte Festival begins this Wednesday, August 5th, with the celebration of the first 'Chave D'Ouro' Novena. This event marks the start of the religious and entertainment program preceding the main festivities in honor of Nossa Senhora do Monte.
The 'Chave D'Ouro' Novena, dedicated to various locations within the parish, will be led by Father Héctor Figueira. The novenas consist of nine celebrations honoring Nossa Senhora do Monte, including the Litany of Our Lady, traditionally sung and, in this parish, still recited in Latin.
Organized by different areas of the parish, carriers, and emigrants, each novena aims to honor Our Lady through church decoration, liturgy, and the subsequent festival. Today's program includes a pilgrimage at 4:00 PM, accompanied by the Banda de Santo António, followed by mass at 8:00 PM, presided over by Father Pedro Nóbrega. Musical entertainment from 9:30 PM will feature the Grupo de Folclore da Casa do Povo de Gaula, the Banda Filarmónica de Santo António, and the MonteReal Band.
