Patron saints of the Portuguese Army

The Museum of Lisbon is promoting the course "Patron Saints of the Portuguese Army", with Professor Augusto Moutinho Borges, researcher, consultant in Historical Research and author of several books on this subject, including "O Exército, São João de Deus e a Rainha Santa Isabel – História e Cultura Militares", "Santo António e o Exército: tradição, história e arquitetura militares" and "O Exército e o Condestável Nuno Álvares Pereira – O Combatente na Arte".

Running from 12 October to 9 November, this course examines how the Patron Saints of the Portuguese Army have evolved over the centuries to maintain a living connection.

The Portuguese Army is the oldest institution in Portugal to have had patron saints since its foundation. The saints were understood to be protectors, with the cries of troops for their protection on the battlefield serving to redouble their spirits.  Each garrison had its own patron saint, who the soldiers invoked in times of war and peace.

Each of the five sessions, which will always take place on Wednesdays at 5pm, will focus on a specific set of Patron Saints. The sessions can be attended individually or as a full course, an initiative of the Museum of Lisbon – Saint Anthony in partnership with the Portuguese Commission of Military History and the GNR.

 

1st class | 12 october, 2022

Saint George, Patron of the Armed Forces
Saint Sebastian, Patron of the Infantry Regiment
Saint Anthony, Patron Saint of the Infantry Regiment

We present the first patron saint, currently of the Armed Forces, complemented by two other saints of great devotion in Portugal, Saint Sebastian and Saint Anthony.

 

2nd class | 19 october, 2022

Saint John of God, Patron Saint of Military Hospitals

Since 1646, Military Hospitals have been administered by the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God. In Portugal and in its vast overseas empire, there are countless references to this Saint, who was born in Montemor-o-Novo and revolutionised assistance to the sick and infirm in the military.

 

3rd class | 26 october, 2022

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Patroness of Military Administration

Princess of Aragon and Queen of Portugal, this saint had the ability to turn bread into roses, multiplying the food necessary for the military during campaigns. This is the same principle followed by military logistics to manage goods so that nothing is lacking for combatants, which is why she was designated as the protector of this important military branch.

 

4th class | 2 november, 2022

Nuno Álvares Pereira, Patron Saint of the Infantry

The Supreme Commander of Portugal was naturally designated as Patron of the Infantry because his actions as a military strategist established him as someone who "with few could defeat many". He is represented in several places in Portugal.

NOTE: in-person session at the GNR Museum

 

5th class | 9 november, 2022

Our Lady of Conception in castles and fortresses and the Queen of Portugal.
Other Army Patrons (Senhor dos Quartéis, Santa Bárbara, Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Nossa Senhora do Pilar, Nossa Senhora das Brotas, S. José...)

Since 1646, Our Lady of the Conception was crowned Queen of Portugal, and we can find numerous references to this in the country's castles and fortresses, which we will present as a case study. In addition to the examples mentioned above, we will also examine other Patrons of Arms and Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry Regiments in garrisons around the country.