Pope Francis extended his blessing to the fishermen of Caxinas in a message read this Sunday by the parish priest of Vila Condensé at a Mass to celebrate the feast of Our Lord of the Seafarers.
In the text, Pope Francis dedicated his thoughts to “those who work on the high seas with their families, encouraging them to keep the faith alive,” comparing the boats of the apostles and those of Caxinas as “privileged places for encounters with Christ.”
In the same message sent this week to the parish of Caxinas, the Catholic Church’s top figure gives “an apostolic blessing on the local fishing activity and on all members of the parish community of Nosso Senhor dos Navegantes.”
This message from Pope Francis follows a letter sent in May of this year to the Vatican in which the parish priest of Caxinas, Daniel Neves, and the mayor of Vila do Conde, Vitor Costa, on behalf of the entire community, asked for a blessing for the fishermen and boats that annually participate in the festivities in honor of the Lord Navigator, extending to all fishermen and members of the parish.
“It was one of the happiest moments of my life. When I read the letter, I could hear again the words of Pope Francis in Lisbon, who says that the Church belongs to everyone, everyone, everyone,” said Father Daniel Neves.
The Mayor of Vila Condensse spoke “at a moment of great emotion and great honour.”
“Recognizing the faith with which these men and women face life’s challenges at sea will further unite this community,” said Vitor Costa.
The festivals in honour of Nosso Senhora dos Navegantes, which take place today, are one of the largest religious events in the north of the country, attracting thousands of people to Vila do Conde every year to watch the procession that starts from the iconic boat-shaped church.