Missa do Parto

 

Missa do Parto, is one of the principal Catholic devotions of the Maderian Christmas traditions, the Childbirth mass, 9 days before the actual birth on Christmas morning. So here I found myself along with Matthew at this church listening to an Belfast priest praying in Latin, while a mostly Maderian parishioners sing traditional hymns in Portuguese. 

 

Now afterwards, walking out of the church, a lady pushed a tot glass of Whiskey into my hands as the festivities began.