The philatelic issue “Archbishops of Braga” was launched in 2017. Four groups of stamps have been presented, in annual cycles, depicting the his- torical Prelates of the Church of Braga. This year the fifth and final group will be launched — completing the 18 stamps planned for the “Archbishops of Braga” set — featuring some of the most significant Prelatures of this note- worthy cohort of Archbishops and Lords of the Archdiocese of Braga.
This initiative by the Archdiocesan Commission for Property and Heritage — of the Archdiocese of Braga — part of the Institute of History and Christian Arts (IHAC), was submitted, as a concept and selection, to CTT - Correios de Portugal, which immediately supported and agreed to this philatelic project. One of the purposes of the mentioned Commission is to organise or follow events and cultural activities with the aim of promoting and enhancing the value of the Cultural Assets of the Church. This sensitivity and recognition start with the promoters or interlocutors — as is the case with the Arch- bishops of Braga — who idealised or advocated for these assets, often sup- porting their creation, as well as safeguarding or enhancing everything that Faith has spread and the Gospel has built in terms of Ecclesiastical heritage. The new group of stamps, like the earlier issues, shows Braga Prelates who reflect the history of the Church and the city of Braga; the history of Portugal and the territory it conquered; its expansive and historical evan- gelisation. It therefore features Gonçalo Pereira, the Liberal, (1326–1348) — medieval, a zealous defender of the Assets of the Church who gave Braga its first “monumental feature” and was present at the famous Battle of Río Salado with a cross on his flag; Friar Agostinho de Jesus (1588–1609) — modern, active and credited reformer who promoted the “new conse- cration of the Cathedral” and commissioned the famous Map of Braga of 1594 [noua BRACARAE AVGVSTE descriptio (sic)] to Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg; António Bento Martins Júnior (1932–1963) — contemporary, a pious Eucharist and Marian, who devoted himself to the “Christianisation of religious festivals”, “consecrated the High Altar of Braga Cathedral” and, in social terms, encouraged institutions of a charitable nature to respond to those most in need.
In the philatelic souvenir sheet, we reveal a new aerial view of the Main Cathedral, which gives it a new perspective within its urban surroundings — a new breadth that confirms its context with the Sacro-Montes or the Sacred Hills of Braga on the horizon — in an interactive relationship with the so-called “Tourist Triangle” of Braga — renamed by us as the Sacred-Tourist Triangle of Braga.
The Guide to Braga — Art and Tourism from 1959 (page 107), by Braga City Council, describes this tourist polygon as the angular formation between the sanctuaries that crown Espinho Hill, Sameiro Hill and Falperra’s Hill. It identifies the hill of Bom Jesus do Monte, the hill of Imaculada Conceição do Sameiro and the hill of Santa Maria Madalena do Monte as having tem- ples and adjacent stairways directed towards the city. These temples punc- tuate the hills surrounding Braga, with the Cathedral as a pole — a centre for spreading the Faith and revitalising of these sacred spaces — which, thanks to the action of humankind and the contribution of the Archbishops, have developed into renowned sanctuaries: the first and the second in the cate- gory of Basilicas; the first and the third, properties classified as National Monuments; with the first featuring as the only one in the north of the coun- try recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the brochure cover we depict the expressive view from the Cathedra, the visual perspective of the Archbishop over his Seat — manifested by the three naves and the entrance, crowned by the opulent baroque organs — the view, therefore, of the Shepherd over his flock: an ecclesiastical Com- munity that guides, teaches, and educates on the wisdom of the Gospels.
António Gerardo Monteiro Esteves
Architect and Director
of the Archdiocesan Commission
for Property and Heritage
