Our Lady of Light

Today was the feast day of Mourão's patron saint - Nossa Senhora das Candeias - which celebrates the day Mary went to the temple to purify herself after birthing Jesus, and Simeon took the Baby in his arms and said he could now be dismissed in peace because his eyes had seen God's salvation... a LIGHT for all the peoples.

I had uploaded an arty one of the band that preceded the image of Our Lady, following the fancy men on horseback carrying banners, and the lad swinging incense, and the girls in white handing out cards, plus one of Herself appearing at the end of our street, lit up with candles on the windowsills (we were on our balcony) ... when they started fireworks from the castle - which were simply AMAZING - you all know what fireworks look like, but to have them exploding above a castle that looks fairytale, but has actually been attacked several times by the Spaniards - and that castle illuminated by succeeding colours - well, had to start my blip all over again...