Agostinho Tavares, Monsenhor

Monsignor Agostinho do Couto Tavares, former rector of the Sanctuary of the Lord Holy Christ of Miracles (Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres), passed away on 29 July 2015, at his home in Ponta Delgada, at the age of 85.

Born on 23 July 1930, in the parish of Maia, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, he graduated from the Episcopal Seminary of Angra. He served as Prefect of Studies and Rector of the Minor Seminary of Ponta Delgada, where he taught Portuguese, Catholic Moral and Religious Education, and Physical Education.

He introduced the Charismatic Renewal Movement to the Diocese of Angra, serving as its spiritual assistant, and was an animator for the Cursillo Movement in Ponta Delgada. He was also responsible for organising the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Azores.

With 62 years of priesthood, he served from March 1993 to August 2012 as the rector of the Sanctuary of the Lord Holy Christ of Miracles, being regarded as a missionary of the cult of the Senhor Santo Cristo both within and outside the Azores.

On 29 July, a first Eucharist was celebrated at the Sanctuary of the Lord Holy Christ of Miracles at 6:00 pm, followed by the celebration of the Solemn Vespers of the Office of the Dead at 9:00 pm. The church remained open until midnight and reopened at 7:00 am the following day for the usual 8:00 am Mass, with the body present. The procession then proceeded to the parish church of São José for the funeral ceremonies, presided over by the Episcopal Vicar for São Miguel, Cipriano Pacheco. At 10:00 am, the funeral Mass was held. Afterwards, the body was taken to his birthplace, Maia, in Ribeira Grande, where he was laid to rest.