The processions in honor of Our Lady of Fétal constitute high moments of devotion and faith. Held on the last weekend of September and the first of October, the pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora do Fétal includes three processions. The night processions are illuminated by around 30 thousand snail shells, “collected from industries, restaurants and the local population, who, after cooking and eating them, use the shells to add olive oil and cotton wool to them” (Maria Caixeiro in 30 September 2022). Preparation for the processions begins several weeks in advance, where piles of sand are placed along the route, into which the shells are inserted and the oil is added. The peels and oil are only displayed on the day of the procession. As António Neto, member of the Church’s organization and commission, states, “the snail will only be placed on the same day because the wind will move it from the site, and the oil is even placed at the last minute, so the animals don’t eat it. olive oil” (António Neto on September 30, 2022).
