Bishop of Funchal Draws Inspiration from Madeiran Song 'Deslocado' in Homily

The Madeiran group NAPA's song 'Deslocado' inspired the homily delivered by the Bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, during the solemn celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Monte. The lyrics, which describe the strangeness felt by Madeiran youth in large metropolises—'the sea of people, the different sun, the mountain of concrete'—served as a metaphor to reflect on a feeling that, over time, can arise anywhere, especially that of not fully belonging.

'All of us carry a thirst for the infinite, a thirst for God that makes us dissatisfied and drives us to go further,' stated the prelate. This restlessness, awakened by beauty but also by pain and suffering, is something only God can quench.

In this context, D. Nuno Brás contrasted the sensation of uprootedness with the experience of peace and belonging lived in the Sanctuary of the Monte. 'Here, in the house of the Mother, who has accompanied the Madeirans since the early days of settlement, we stop feeling displaced. Here, our heart rests as if at home,' he emphasized, recalling that devotion to the patron saint of the Diocese was a constant presence both in emigration departures and military campaigns.

In his homily, the Bishop presented Mary as 'Temple of God' and 'Ark of the New Covenant,' citing Saint Augustine and Saint Athanasius to reinforce the idea that, in the Virgin, God finds a dwelling. 'If in Mary God Himself feels at home, we too, beside her, find our place. It is the certainty that Heaven awaits us and that, like Mary, we are called to dwell in it,' he said.

Before thousands of faithful who filled the Monte, D. Nuno Brás ended with a call of tenderness and closeness: 'Like Saint Elizabeth, like the beloved disciple, let us welcome Mary into our life and our heart. Mother, look out the window, I'm coming home.'

The celebration was attended by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, Cristina Pedra, and the Mayor of Funchal, among others.

At the beginning of the ceremonies, D. Nuno Brás mentioned that this was also a moment to pray for those who died in the 2016 tragedy.