The Peneda Pilgrimage begins today at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda in Arcos de Valdevez, running for nine days with ties to Galicia. The program includes daily eucharists, Lauds and Vespers prayer, Rosary processions, Marian vigils, concerts and moments dedicated to different pilgrim communities.
On September 5th, Galicians' Day is celebrated, with a eucharist in Spanish led by D. António Valdés, bishop of Tui-Vigo. On September 2nd, the pilgrimage of the elderly and sick takes place, and on September 7th a hike inspired by Pier Giorgio Frassati's motto, "To the Heights," takes place, culminating in the Procession of Candles.
On the cultural side, the lineup includes a concert by Zé Amaro on September 4th, a performance by the Asociación Cultural Campaneiros de Galicia on manual bell ringing, and the traditional Popular Dance on the evening of September 6th, after the blessing of the concertinas. The celebrations end on September 8th, the day of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, with a solemn eucharist and procession presided over by D. João Lavrador, Bishop of Viana do Castelo.
Located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the sanctuary receives thousands of faithful annually, keeping alive a religious and cultural tradition that spans generations. The organization appeals to pilgrims' participation, underscoring the religious, heritage and identity value of this pilgrimage for the Alto Minho region and for Portuguese and Galician communities.
