By Joe Bayona

PERTH AMBOY – The weekend after Easter is special for the Portuguese community in Perth Amboy. It is the weekend that the festival honoring “Our Lady of the Martyrs” takes place, as it has in Perth Amboy for the last 26 years. The festival is held at Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Blessed John Paul II Parish on Wayne St.

The story of “Our Lady of the Martyrs” goes back to 17th century Portugal. A ship had wrecked off the coast of the small town of Serra Do Bouro. A statue of “Our Lady” holding a small child was found in the wreckage. The statue was brought to the town and a chapel was erected in the town to house the statue. Later a church was built next to the chapel.

A short time later the area was hit with a severe drought. Crops were dying and the residents were in despair. A procession was formed to bring the statue of “Our Lady” from the town down to the sea where She was found. The people then prayed for a miracle and their prayers were answered. It began to rain. The “Lady” was then given the name “Our Lady of the Martyrs.” Since then a festival in her honor is held on the first Sunday after Easter.

In 1986 parishioners Mario and Alice DoCoito, who were from Serra Do Bouro and had moved to Perth Amboy, had a replica of the statue made. The replica statue was delivered to the church in March of 1987. The first festival was held on April 9-10, 1988.

The Festival of Our Lady of the Martyrs is a two day celebration marked by traditional foods, pastries and music. Celebrants come from as far away as Connecticut and Pennsylvania for the celebration. Some years, people came from as far as Portugal. On the second day a mass is held, followed by a procession around four square blocks, symbolizing the procession to the sea.