The parish of Santa Maria dos Anjos, in Ponte de Lima, created a ceramic piece inspired by the image of Our Lady of Sorrows to commemorate the 200 years of Feiras Novas. The sculpture is the work of artist Margarete Barbosa, known as Rosa Courense, and reproduces the revered image on the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Mother Church of Ponte de Lima, depicting Our Lady seated with her heart pierced by the seven swords of sorrow.
Father José Caldas acknowledged that the religious dimension of the pilgrimage is frequently overshadowed by all the elements surrounding Feiras Novas, but stated that every year they seek to maintain the essence of the celebration, which is precisely the honoring of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The piece includes symbolic elements such as the scapular, the silhouette of her son, and a crown inspired by the rose window of the Mother Church. On the reverse, more popular references to the pilgrimage appear, including the bridge over the Lima river, the concertina, and fireworks.
Only 200 copies of the piece were produced, numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, with a cost of 70 euros each.
