NOTE: Pls turn on the sound of your computer if you want to listen to a fado version of the Ave Maria.
I never go to religious services, unless they relate to funerals, weddings or christenings. Exceptionally, last Saturday, I went to a Roman Catholic church in my neighbourhood. I had been told there would be a special mass to mark the first Saturday of Lent: I say special because it would be accompanied by fado, the Portuguese national song. I had wondered I would be allowed to take photos so to make sure about it, I went earlier than the scheduled time and asked permission from the priest. I was lucky... he gave it to me.
I never go to religious services, unless they relate to funerals, weddings or christenings. Exceptionally, last Saturday, I went to a Roman Catholic church in my neighbourhood. I had been told there would be a special mass to mark the first Saturday of Lent: I say special because it would be accompanied by fado, the Portuguese national song. I had wondered I would be allowed to take photos so to make sure about it, I went earlier than the scheduled time and asked permission from the priest. I was lucky... he gave it to me.
I had a new and interesting experience. I noticed that maybe 90% or, even more, of the attendants were very old. It seems this is the current trend in many European countries...
As I wanted to discreetly take photos, the priest suggested me to stay at the loft. Great! The ideal place to see and not be openly seen. One lady singer and two guitar players turned the mass into a musical event. Depending on the fado lyrics, the lights inside the church changed from white to warmer tones.
When the mass was over, it was already late and very dark... I still had a chance to take photos of the illuminated outside church...
As I wanted to discreetly take photos, the priest suggested me to stay at the loft. Great! The ideal place to see and not be openly seen. One lady singer and two guitar players turned the mass into a musical event. Depending on the fado lyrics, the lights inside the church changed from white to warmer tones.
When the mass was over, it was already late and very dark... I still had a chance to take photos of the illuminated outside church...
~~ Thanks for stopping by ~~
I am not a religious person, I do enjoy this slideshow.
ReplyDeleteThe singer has a beautiful quality in her gestures, you captured it nicely.
Thank you.
You are lucky!!! You have many opportunities for new experiences. I like this blog post. Nice voice. Nice images.
ReplyDeleteI love Fado, thank youfor posting this
ReplyDeleteA lovely set of images, but I could hear no music. I have checked the sound on my computer, it is working ok, but I still cannot hear the music here.
ReplyDeleteGreat slideshow. Your photography of the church's interior is wonderful. What I love the most are your images of the congregants' hands. What a ingenious idea! The music is lovely. Your observation of the demographics of the people attending Mass is correct. I have read that about Catholicism in Europe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robert, for your visit and comment. The church's as Leonor mentioned has recently gone under a successful 'lifting'.
DeleteHello Isabel, I never attended a fado concert in a church. I think this is Igreja da Memória.
ReplyDeleteI know the place because the landscape architect whom I wored with some years agow, has the office in Tv da Correnteza very close to that church.
I also remember to attend a wedding there.
The space is very well refurbished as I can see by your wonderful photos.
The seniors couldn´t meditate! They were listening to fado! Fantastic!
Wow... you have been on here, Leonor! What a good surprise! You're very right, that's the so-called Igreja da Memória. It's now very well maintained. It belongs to the Navy Force, did you know it? The priest was a very kind man and seemed to be, from the talks with him, a broad-minded man.
DeleteThanks for your visit. I really appreciate!
I hear no sound. :(
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the religious event.
I especially like those hands, each pair has its own story to say... :)
Hi Sophie, it's a bit strange because I've already called two friends of mine and asked them to check whether they could listen to it or not. I was told they could...
DeleteHi Belita. I have tried again, but I still cannot hear any music :-((
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Mitch, but I can't help. I'm sure by 100% that nothing is wrong. I already had got the confirmation that the fado song was audible and , coincidently, Danette, mentioned it in her comment dropped today on CYG??? Correct Answer:
ReplyDelete'DanetteWednesday, February 20, 2013
oh Thank you! I love the music by Fado as well as the St Anthony print and the subway tiles!'
Have a nice day...
I was totally confused at first about the MESS and now realised you mean Mass , gosh am so stupid, the whole mess now makes sense. *winks*
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful church and a wonderful service and here is Belita hiding, playing candid camera, never safe are we? Not even in church. Hugs you tight darling, thank you for sharing. Mwah
Oh, Mrianne, now I realized my spelling mistake... Of course I meant Mass and not Mess though sometimes a Mass can be messy, can't it?
DeleteA very beautiful church Belita however, like Mitch, I could get no sound. I had to laugh at your "mess" knowing you meant mass. lol
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful church and a great idea with a mess to be accompanied by fado...and Belita, I'm sure you'll find the possibility to take a photos, even if you wouldn't be allowed to take them :-)
ReplyDelete