Church of Mary Magdalene

Dear Commons Commu9nity,

The Church of Mary Magdalene is located in Alfama, the old town of Lisbon. The original church was erected in 1150, by order of King Afonso Henriques. In 1363, a fire completely destroyed the church, and Ferdinand I of Portugal had it rebuilt. In 1755 the church was demolished by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In 1783 Queen Maria I of Portugal rebuilt the church again.

The Late Renaissance-inspired façade includes a Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) portal from the 1500s that survived the earthquake, while inside it features a painted ceiling and images by Machado de Castro, Portugal’s leading 18th-century sculptor.

It is one of the few churches in Lisbon that offers mass in a number of different languages, from Tagalog to Umbundu and Kimbundu. We specifically came for Palm Sunday because the Mass would be said in English.

It was quite an impressive service.  Lots of singing and energetic prayer responses from a diverse congregation of churchgoers. Eight parishioners actively were involved in the reading of the Gospel.  Elaine felt it was one of the most moving services she has ever attended.

Tomorrow, we will be taking a full-day tour to  Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos.

Tony

Church of Mary Magdalene as Seen from the Balcony

Church of Mary Magdalene Side Wall

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