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Passion of Christ

Procession of the Passion of Christ

passion of christ A unique Macau religious celebration when an image of Christ carrying the Cross is taken in solemn procession from St. Augustine's Church to the Cathedral for an overnight vigil. It is then returned through the city via the stations of the Cross, accompanied by a magenta-robed escort and crowds of the faithful and curious. 1

macau festival passion of christ >Legend says that when the statue was moved to the Cathedral by Church authorities it would somehow to St Augustine Church. 2

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Ever since a procession is held every year on the first Sunday of Lent.

From St Augustine Church the statue is taken to the Cathedral for a night. The following day, the figure is carried through the streets back to the cathedral. Stations of the Cross are set up along the route.

This event is attended by the clergy and hundreds of Chinese faithful and believers.

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Another twist of the story occured in 1712. That time the anti-Catholic government expelled the Augustinians and banned the Passos procession from St Augustine Church.

Suddenly there was a food shortage. The local Chinese immediately associated the two events. They therefore demanded that "the man with the cross" walk the streets again. Eventually the procession resumed and as expected, the shortage ended.

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