The Brotherhood of Bom Jesus do Monte inaugurated a nativity scene yesterday at the sanctuary’s exterior, titled “From Christmas to Easter – Path of Hope,” which was blessed by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Braga, D. José Cordeiro.

The artwork is installed on a boat at Bom Jesus, near the bandstand, and features a “magic eye” through which visitors can view the cross from the 5th National Eucharistic Congress, which took place in the city of Braga between May 31 and June 2 of this year.

The nativity scene was painted on a canvas in the shape of a door, symbolizing the entrance to the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.

Conceived and created by the staff of the Brotherhood, in alignment with the challenges proposed by the Administrative Board, the project is located at the site where the image of the Crucified Christ is traditionally displayed during Lent. In 2025, it will be there on April 6, during the Penitential Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary.

D. José Cordeiro congratulated everyone involved in the creation of the nativity scene and expressed the hope that the artwork would help transform visitors into “participants in the pilgrimage of hope.”

Accompanied by the Emeritus Archbishop of Braga, D. Jorge Ortiga, the rector of the Sanctuary, Canon João Paulo Coelho, and the president and vice-president of the Brotherhood, respectively Canon Mário Martins and Varico Pereira, the Archbishop explained the profound symbolism of the installation, emphasizing the door that leads to the cross, and the boat, which symbolizes the Church and the mission to welcome God into daily life.

“It is in daily life that we are called to welcome God, to bring Him to others, and to lead others to Jesus Christ. He is our salvation, and this is the deepest meaning of the mystery of the Incarnation,” he said.

D. José Cordeiro highlighted that the symbolism of the nativity scene goes beyond the traditional representation of Christmas, inviting the faithful to reflect on the entirety of the mystery of Christ, which can only be understood in the light of Easter.

Referring to the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, which will celebrate the 2025th anniversary of Jesus’ birth, the prelate emphasized the importance of the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary as one of the main pilgrimage sites during the Holy Year. In addition to this sanctuary, the Archdiocese of Braga has selected five other minor basilicas, the Eucharistic Sanctuary of Balasar, and the Jubilee Church, which is the Cathedral, as pilgrimage destinations in 2025.

The Archbishop concluded his reflection by encouraging pilgrims to deepen their understanding of the symbols present in this nativity scene, symbols that, he said, “open great doors in the horizons of hope.”

The nativity scene reflects the spirit of the sanctuary

The president of the Brotherhood stated that this “original” nativity scene deeply reflects the spirit of Bom Jesus, which is, in itself, an “invitation to spirituality and prayer.” It is not merely a representation of Christmas, but rather a “proposal for growth in faith.”

“We want the Bom Jesus Sanctuary to increasingly be an opportunity for growth in faith, in the mystery of our faith,” said Canon Mário Martins, noting that the nativity scene is part of this mission.

He further explained that the nativity scene was crafted in an artisanal manner, using recyclable materials found within the sanctuary itself, in alignment with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for greater attention to sustainable ecology.

The acrylic painting, set on a wooden base in the shape of a door, was created by the artist and priest Christopher Vaz Sousa, a cleric from the Diocese of Viana do Castelo and parish priest of Santa Marta de Portuzelo. A final-year student in Fine Arts – Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Porto, the priest intends for this nativity scene to be a “genuine and profound invitation to prayer.”

The rector of the Bom Jesus Sanctuary thanked all the staff and collaborators of the Brotherhood who had their “hands imprinted” on the nativity scene and shared that plans are already underway for next year’s nativity scene.

On his part, the vice president of the Brotherhood, Varico Pereira, who is also the director of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Tourism, said that the special symbolism of this nativity scene is a way to attract visitors and pilgrims to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary during the Christmas season.

In addition to the inauguration of the nativity scene, this “special day for the Brotherhood” was also marked by the Christmas Mass, celebrated for the first time at the sanctuary with the participation of the staff, followed by a fellowship lunch.