Fenais da Ajuda
Encyclopedia
Fenais da Ajuda is a civil parish in the municipality of Ribeira Grande in the Azores
. The population as of 2001 was 1,269, giving it a population density of 94.63 persons/km²; the land area is 13.41 km².
plants used as animal fodder, since the area historically produced much animal fodder), and from its patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Assistance), and a Franciscan
monastery to Her honour that was located in the parish. Similarly, the area was known as Fenais da Vera Cruz, due to the area's similarity to a Christian cross
, and later as Fenais da Maia
when the Maia parish was sited there.
In the Livro do Tombo da Igreja dos Santos Reis Magos (burial register for the Church of Santos Reis Magos), until 1819 the parish was part of the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, but was later integrated into the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
The first habitants came from the neighbouring parish of Maia around 1500. They built a chapel dedicated to the Santos Reis Magos (literally, Sainted Magi Kings, or the New Testament Magi
, who were protectors of Portuguese
navigators and explorers). Historian Gaspar Frutuoso
said of these settlers:
The first vicar
, Bernardo de Froes, operated the religious institution and the local affiliated industry, which was supported by meager revenues from the Church. In 1541 the church there was elevated to the status of parish. In 1832 the parochial Church of the Santos Reis Magos was begun, and it was consecrated in 1843.
The church building is a good example of period construction, having been successively conserved by the Ordem Terceira (Order of Terceira) over the many years. The small chapel, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, was built on the site of a much older chapel by the Franciscan monks around 1681 under Lázaro Estrela (to fulfill a promise to the Virgin Mary), and remained in their possession. Between 1832 and 1847 the chapel served as an ornate parochial seat, its austere main nave in contrast to a painted lateral chapel, constructed in a revivalist style and embossed with gold. The Franciscan monastery was vacated in 1832 when the Liberals expelled the monks, and the building was abandoned. After being sold, the convent was demolished.
Near Ribeira Funda (named for a nearby deep ravine, since ribeira funda means deep ravine), the parochial Church of Nossa Senhora da Aflição (Our Lady of Affliction) was constructed. The building resulted from the enlargement of the minor chapel (to the same invocation) which was ordered built by descendents of Captain António de Medeiros and his wife Maria Francisca.
Fenais da Ajuda has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church and a square (praça).
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
. The population as of 2001 was 1,269, giving it a population density of 94.63 persons/km²; the land area is 13.41 km².
History
The name fenais da ajuda comes from fenais (hay or other herbaceousHerbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
plants used as animal fodder, since the area historically produced much animal fodder), and from its patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Assistance), and a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monastery to Her honour that was located in the parish. Similarly, the area was known as Fenais da Vera Cruz, due to the area's similarity to a Christian cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
, and later as Fenais da Maia
Maia (Ribeira Grande)
Maia is a civil parish in Ribeira Grande Municipality in the Portuguese Azores. The population in 2001 is 1,901, its density is 86.5/km² and the area is 21.97 km²...
when the Maia parish was sited there.
In the Livro do Tombo da Igreja dos Santos Reis Magos (burial register for the Church of Santos Reis Magos), until 1819 the parish was part of the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, but was later integrated into the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
The first habitants came from the neighbouring parish of Maia around 1500. They built a chapel dedicated to the Santos Reis Magos (literally, Sainted Magi Kings, or the New Testament Magi
Biblical Magi
The Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...
, who were protectors of Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
navigators and explorers). Historian Gaspar Frutuoso
Gaspar Frutuoso
Gaspar Frutuoso was a Portuguese priest, historian and humanist from the island of São Miguel, in the Azores...
said of these settlers:
- "There is a place in these Fenais, a parish of Reis Magos, where there were many noble settlers."
The first vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
, Bernardo de Froes, operated the religious institution and the local affiliated industry, which was supported by meager revenues from the Church. In 1541 the church there was elevated to the status of parish. In 1832 the parochial Church of the Santos Reis Magos was begun, and it was consecrated in 1843.
The church building is a good example of period construction, having been successively conserved by the Ordem Terceira (Order of Terceira) over the many years. The small chapel, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, was built on the site of a much older chapel by the Franciscan monks around 1681 under Lázaro Estrela (to fulfill a promise to the Virgin Mary), and remained in their possession. Between 1832 and 1847 the chapel served as an ornate parochial seat, its austere main nave in contrast to a painted lateral chapel, constructed in a revivalist style and embossed with gold. The Franciscan monastery was vacated in 1832 when the Liberals expelled the monks, and the building was abandoned. After being sold, the convent was demolished.
Near Ribeira Funda (named for a nearby deep ravine, since ribeira funda means deep ravine), the parochial Church of Nossa Senhora da Aflição (Our Lady of Affliction) was constructed. The building resulted from the enlargement of the minor chapel (to the same invocation) which was ordered built by descendents of Captain António de Medeiros and his wife Maria Francisca.
Geography
The parish of Fenais da Ajuda occupies an area of 13.41 km², along the northern coast of Ribeira Grande between the parishes of Lomba da Maia and Lomba de São Pedro, and the municipality of Povoação (and its border with Furnas).Fenais da Ajuda has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church and a square (praça).