Parish Church of São Mamede (Lisbon, Portugal)

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I . History

II . Description

III . Saint Mammes

I . HISTORY

The original church of São Mamede [Saint Mammes], one of the oldest in Lisbon, was located on the western hillside of the Castle, and possibly dates back to the early 13^th century. When the church was completely wrecked by the earthquake in 1755, the parish moved firstly to São Cristóvão [Saint Christopher] and later, in 1761, to the church of São Patrício [Saint Patrick]. In 1769 it was transferred to the chapel of Our Lady Mother of God and Mother of Men, in Vale do Pereiro.

The new church of São Mamede started to be built in 1782, on land made available by the Colégio dos Nobres [College of the Nobles]. The works extended over a period of many years, and the church was inaugurated uncompleted on the 18^th August 1861. On May, 26^th 1921, the church was totally destroyed by a vicious fire. It was then rebuilt by public subscription, under the supervision of architect Raul Martins (1892-1934), and solemnly inaugurated on the 24^th February 1924.

Due to road-widening works in Rua Nova de São Mamede, during the 30’s, the eastern vestry disappeared, and new wings were built on the western side of the church, namely the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and Portuguese Saints.

II . DESCRIPTION

The church of São Mamede is located in an area of intense cultural and commercial activity. It sits on a spacious square with Portuguese style pavement, and a prominent set of steps leads to the main entrance.

Inside the nave, highlight goes to the unusual lining of the walls, in blue and white tiles, particularly the representation of the stations of the Way of the Cross, by the painter and ceramic artist Conceição Silva (1869-1958). The ceiling, a vault decorated with lunettes, shows a central painting with eucharistic and ornamental motives.

At the entrance, the visitor is presented with two inscriptions on tile referring to the foundation of the temple in 1861 and its reconstruction in 1921/1922.

On the left side of the nave there is the former Baptistry, featuring a stained glass panel representing The Baptism of Christ, by Ricardo Leone’s workshop (1891-1971); the altar with a recent image of Our Lady of Fatima; and the former chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

On the altar of Our Lady of the Conception, on the right side of the nave, stands the remarkable sculpture of Our Lady of the Conception, by José de Almeida (1708-1770), which belonged to the former church of the Novitiate of Cotovia. The altar of Saint Joseph, with recent image, lies on the same side.

The Baptismal Font is also placed in the nave.

In the chancel, topped by a stonework vault (19^th century), the altarpiece represents The Death and Exaltation of Saint Mammes, by Conceição Silva (1923). The side walls are covered by large-sized tile panels with scenes from The Life of Saint Mammes, also by Conceição Silva: Saint Mammes the shepherd finds a staff and a book of the Gospels; Saint Mammes is arrested and sentenced to torture; Saint Mammes breaks the prison hasps and frees the Christians; Saint Mammes, defended by a wild lion, is stoned to death. Two rostrums standing below large windows complete the set.

The chancel hosts a monumental marble sculpture of Our Lady of the Conception, signed by Pietro Martini Sanctus, di Milano, from the extinct Convento da Esperança; and a realsize Cross, which was originally in the chapel of Rato, in the former Palácio dos Marqueses da Praia.

In the Noble Hall, former vestry referred to as Blessed, there are numerous works of sacred art, particularly two canvases representing The Last Supper and The Visitation.

In the interior chapel of Our Lady of Fatima and the Portuguese Saints, highlight goes to the stained glass panel of Our Lady of Fatima and the three shepherd children, by Ricardo Leone’s workshop. The side walls are lined with tile panels by Conceição Silva illustrating the Portuguese Saints: Saint Theotonius, Saint John of God, Saint Anthony, Saint Joan Princess, Saint Constable, Blessed Mafalda and Blessed Sancha.

In the high-choir, the magnificent set of stained glass, made by Ricardo Leone’s workshop (1927), offers a representation of the Crucifixion of Christ, with the Saint Doctors of the Church on the sides: Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose.

The great organ, bearing a coat of arms, from the late 19^th century, a work of the French organbuilder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll (1811-1899), was donated to the church by the Dukes of Palmela in 1956.

The church holds a remarkable set of sculptures representing Saints, namely Saint Sebastian of Health – the only image coming from the original church of São Mamede on the hillside of the Castle; Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Joachim, Saint Ann, Saint John the Evangelist; and the old image of Our Lady Mother of God and Mother of Men, from the extinct chapel devoted to this figure.

III . SAINT MAMMES

Saint Mammes was born in the mid 3^rd century, in Caesarea of Cappadocia (current Turkey), in the prison where his parents were held for being Christians and martyred immediately after his birth. Saint Mammes was taken under the care of Ammia, a virtuous lady of Caesarea who adopted and raised him to the strictest moral and religious precepts. Ammia died when the young man was no older than 15, while the city of Caesarea was still under Roman rule and Christians were facing a new persecution started by Aurelian, the emperor at the time.

After being persecuted, arrested and tortured, Saint Mammes was liberated by an angel and took shelter in the woods of Mount Argaeus near Caesarea, where no human being dared to visit him. There he lived for two years as a hermit. Days were spent praying and the animals of the forest were his sole companions. Saint Mammes had the power to tame wild animals and live side by side with them. He would often come all the way down to Caesarea for apostolic work, disguised as a shepherd, wearing animal skins. On one such occasion, Saint Mammes was again arrested and stoned, and was saved by a lion (according to one of the versions of his martyrdom). Saint Mammes died in 275.

Buried near Caesarea, his body was later transferred to Jerusalem and then to Constantinople. During the Middle Ages, some relics were brought to Europe. Today, these relics can be appreciated at the Langres Cathedral, in France. Also known as “the great martyr”, his worship spread around the entire Christian world.

In Portugal, the worship of Saint Mammes dates back a long time, and was possibly introduced by the pilgrims arriving from the Orient during the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th centuries.

Being a very popular saint throughout the Portuguese territory, and the patron of numerous chapels and churches, the devotion to this saint is tightly related with the foundation of the nation, particularly with the battle held in the fields of São Mamede.

Saint Mammes is usually represented holding a staff – illustrating his occupation as a shepherd -, and standing next to a lion.

The 17^th August is this saint’s Feast Day.

REFERÊNCIAS:

• SILVA, Augusto Vieira da, As Freguesias de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1943.
• CASTILHO, Júlio de, Lisboa Antiga. Bairro Alto, Vol. V, Lisboa, 1966.
• ARAÚJO, Norberto de, Inventário de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1940 - 1956