the stunning marble- and granite-strewn beaches of Miramar were the site of ancient pagan worship the giant boulder jutting into the sea was where rituals were once performed and where the Capela do Senhor da Pedra (Chapel of the Lord of Stone) sits to this day As part of the mass campaign to Christianize Europe during the 17th century the hexagonal structure was constructed to 'reclaim' the land from the 'heretic,' naturalist pagans who sought enlightenment at the very same site Visitors can scale the set of stairs leading from the sands to the altar or take the more penitent route by scrambling up the steep boulder sides The doors to the sanctuary are framed by two azulejo mosaics boasting of the site's architectural import as well as noting that Pagans had worshiped here before the chapel became 'certainly the oldest place of worship in the region.' Inside three ornate altars decorated in gold leaf were erected the crucifix is back-lit by a (questionably-chosen) green bulb a horseshoe shaped indent appears in the rock Explanations of its origin are odd and vague ranging from belonging to the Virgin Mary's donkey Sebastian's horse who was navigated poorly on a foggy day an annual three-day festival commemorating the site's Pagan past takes place in Miramar The festivities culminate on the following Tuesday with a procession led by fully cloaked women ("witches whose identities remain unknown" according to one local) from the city center to the chapel The chapel is worth visiting as much for its unique situation and gorgeous vistas as its embodiment of a culture clash whose traces remain traceable to this day Exit at the Miramar station and walk towards the sea The Uros people live on floating reed islands in lake Titicaca Lake Phewa is home to the only island temple in Nepal A tiny island off the coast of Dublin was once a pilgrimage site for the sick and the suffering An infamous former prison is now a biodiverse national park this tiny sacred island in Ueno Park only opens to the public every 12 days A community heritage center on an overlooked island in the Sierra Leone River estuary These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations At the site of the most dangerous crossings on the Oregon Trail a museum explores the complex history of westward migration in America (ANS – Estoril) – The 28th edition of the Salesian National Games of Portugal will be held   at the Salesian centre in Estoril from 25 to 28 April 2024 More than a thousand athletes will participate in the various tournaments of Futsal Nine delegations will be present from Mirandela Lisbon and Cascais – the most Salesian municipality in the country with the representation of the Salesians from Manique the Salesians in Bairro do Rosário and the Salesians in Estoril the latter hosts and also the largest delegation Of note is the enormous involvement and support of the Salesian Educational Community in Estoril – among educators demonstrating the generous and supportive spirit that characterises it they are always carried out in a spirit of family celebration and celebration.  This year the motto chosen was: "We are friends ‘I feel good here with you’": a clear call to friendship this year's event offers a range of educational cultural and recreational activities: from artistic performances to cultural outings and moments of prayer the Eucharistic celebration and the closing of the Games: the central courtyard of the Salesians in Estoril which already last year hosted the WYD DON BOSCO 23 festival – a central part of the World Youth Day in Lisbon experienced by the approximately 9,000 boys and girls from the Salesian Youth Movement The general programme of the Salesian National Games is as follows: 09:00 - Reception of teams11:30 - Lunch14:30 - Start of competitions19:00 - Dinner and socialising21:00 - Opening ceremony of the XXVIII Salesian National Games 07:30 – Breakfast09:00 – Resumption of the races11:30 – Lunch19:00 – Dinner and following recreational and pastoral activities 07:30 –Breakfast09:30 – Eucharist and closing ceremony of the Games11:30 – Lunch14:00 – Departure of delegations The doors of the Salesian House in Estoril are open to all especially on the occasion of the opening and closing ceremony of the National Salesian Games everything has been prepared so that these days are full of the spirit of fair play harmony among all and care for our Common Home The 28th National Salesian Games of Portugal have been held annually in Portugal since 1992 in various cities where there are Salesian presences The event brings together athletes and educational and pastoral communities in a moment of family according to the properly Salesian educational and evangelisation style the competitions were only in four disciplines – handball volleyball and football – which then increased over the years ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements (ANS - Paúl) - They left on August 5th and will not be returning home before the 24th: they are 11 boys and girls who attend the Salesian centers in Portugal and have joined the volunteering project: "Missão Segue-me a Cabo Verde!" Anthony of Portugal announced that in this international volunteering mission the group intends to "build an opportunity for community life" with very specific characteristics The missionaries' service is addressed "to the children and young people of Cape Verde" The main activities and initiatives that are developed in this type of youth volunteering missions are the training of the animators together with liturgical and pastoral support The "Missão Segue-me in Cabo Verde!" project was not just born this early August but rather it mobilized volunteers and collaborators from various communities much in advance wherever the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are present: Lisbon there have been many initiatives to collect the resources needed for this expedition; among them a solidarity concert organized at the Salesian parish of Arcozelo and an articulated crowdfunding campaign Motivated by the "promotion of the values ​​and ideals" of Don Bosco the participating volunteers do not devote themselves only to educational and leisure activities for children and young people smiles and a little joy to the elderly and sick people supported by the local "Dragoeiro Association"; and throughout the period of activity training sessions and health promotion and psychological support are provided It is from 2007 that the Salesian missionary volunteers especially through the "Don Bosco Program - Life Project" brings help and support to hundreds of families in Cape Verde this program has also become one of the most impactful activities of Salesian Youth Ministry For further info, please visit its Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MissaoSegueMeACaboVerde Portugal – January 2019 – The 10th National Assembly of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) was held on 12 January and saw some 50 young people from various Salesian Houses take part The meeting began with a presentation of the challenges to which the SYM Council has responded over the past three years development of local structures and the SYM National Council; analysis of the current situation of young people and its implications for the SDBs and FMAs Voting and approval of the new Statutes for the SYM Council and assembly then followed along with the sharing of some problems and needs Then came the election of the new Council made up as follows: Mafalda Batalheiro (Lisbon) as Coordinator Mariana Santana (Setúbal) and André Oliveira (79th Scout Group from Prazeres) The assembly concluded with an address from Fr José Aníbal Mendonça at the Salesian School of Estoril and in the "Nossa Senhora de Fátima" Institute in Arcozelo a meeting of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Portugal took place 440 young people and animators gathered together with the aim of fostering encounters and interaction between the participants of the various Salesian centers in Portugal of the saints of the Salesian Family and of many others who gave their lives for Jesus the participants were invited to integrate a proposal of holiness into their daily lives Superior of the Salesian Province of Portugal during the Eucharistic celebration recalled the pillars of Salesian youth spirituality and how their application in everyday life leads to a wonderful journey of holiness towards the Lord