NEWS
24th June 2010 - Feast day of St John the Baptist
To the pealing of bells from the nearby church of San Francisco, the procession wound slowly up the hill. Lead by two acolytes and supported by two Catholic and two Anglican priests, the Archbishop of Évora, His Grace D. José Sanches Alves, approached the Chapel of Sâo Joâo da Corujeira.
The culmination of years of fund-raising and frantic last minute efforts to ensure the connection of water, drains and electricity had resulted in a beautifully restored chapel. Above the high altar stood St John the Baptist, clothed in his goat-skin. On the south side altar, the 16th century statue of the pregnant Virgin Mary, Nossa Sra de Bom Despacho, had returned to her proper place, while on the northern side altar a statue of St Nicholas made his temporary presence.
Hanging proudly in the centre was the 17th century Sanctuary lamp which had been presented in May, but what the large crowd had come to see was the chapel itself. All the architectural features and mouldings had been returned to their original state, to the scrupulous criteria of the architect Vitor Pinto Rei, and painted white, giving an air of elegant simplicity. The vaulted ceiling, however, had been restored to its original colours by the specialist Josefina Palma. Jenny Wardle's flower arrangements added the final touch.
The crowd parted to allow the Archbishop to enter and those who could not squeeze inside sought what shade they could find from the scorching sun. The Mass was conducted with due solemnity, the Archbishop in his homily highlighting the history, the significance of the restoration of the Chapel and giving fulsome praise to the Association for its completion. Among the congregation figured a representation of the Knights of Malta, lead by the Conde de Albuquerque, also the Civil Governor of Portalegre and the Mayor of Elvas. At the end of the Mass, Father Michael Bullock, who had come from Lisbon to be with us, added his own words of appreciation.
Liza Connell, the well-known Opera singer, had travelled especially from London to sing Gounod's Ave Maria and then the Allelujas at the moment when the Sanctuary lamp was lit and hoist. This added an element to the ceremony which will not be forgotten by those who were there.
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24 June 2010
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Archbishop of Evora
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High altar
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Side altar
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Side altar
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Sacristy
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Knight of Malta
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Chapel
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