page_title: Patronages of the Immaculate Conception
section_title: Portugal
hierarchical_section_title: Patronages of the Immaculate Conception / List of countries claiming Patronage but no Pontifical decree / Portugal
caption_attribution_description: Português: Interior da Igreja de Nossa Sra. Da Conceição, em Vila Viçosa, Portugal.
context_page_description: In the Catholic Church, several locations around the world invoke the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. Catholic diocesan authorities with the expressed and written approval of the Pope in countries including Brazil, Korea, the Philippines, Spain, and the United States of America designate the Blessed Virgin Mary as their principal patroness.
  As part of the patronage, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is often observed both religiously and culturally within these countries. Numerous national parades, processions and cultural festivities are associated with this patronage ranging from public holidays to holy day of obligation. Several Popes have conferred this title of patronage, sometimes initiated by bishops.
  The list below enumerates the various countries by which the Pope, through a papal bull has formally granted the Immaculate Conception as the patroness of the people and its land or kingdom.
  The list of Pontifical declaration does not include Ireland, Nicaragua and Portugal.
context_section_description: By royal decree under the House of Braganza, the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of Portugal. An image of the Immaculate Conception venerated in the Shrine of Our Lady of Conception of Villa Vicosa was donated by Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira.
  On 25 March  1646, King John IV of Portugal proclaimed Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception the nation's patroness, so that 8 December is a special feast day in Portugal. Upon crowning the image since that time, the Portuguese monarchs of the House of Braganza renounced wearing a crown on their heads.
  In addition, the king minted both gold and silver coins bearing his seal while on the other side bears the Immaculate Conception with the Latin phrase titled Tutelaris Regni. In 1946, at the 300th anniversary of this royal declaration, the government of Portugal also released a postal stamp commemorating its patronage featuring the image of the Virgin Mary.
  The first document invoking the Marian patronage is found the king's address to the National Royal Chambers dated 30 June   1654 and  was next followed again in the Royal Provision of 1646.
  The statue's design is unlike most Immaculate Conception images, as the Virgin Mary carries a child Jesus rather than portrayed as being raised into Heaven. On 6 February   1818, the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa was erected in the Virgin Mary's patronal honor by King John VI of Portugal. The feast marks one of the four national holidays in the Portugal.
caption:  Portugal — The shrine of the Immaculate Conception, consisting of Madonna and Child as Patroness of Portugal.
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