San Vicente de Albufeira Statue, Albufeira

Sharing the Jacinto D'Ayet Square with the Church of Saint Anne is the statue of Saint Vicente of Albufeira. Vicente was a Jesuit missionary who traveled to far-off Japan in the 16th century. His mission was to convert souls to Christianity. Japanese authorities were touchy about foreigners preaching religion. He was martyred by fire.

The statue of the Saint is bronze on a stone pedestal. Vicente is dressed in his priestly garb, holding a crucifix aloft in his right hand. Depending on the season and location of the viewer, the sun can be observed shining through the crucifix. The resulting optical effect showing the statue holding up a pure white light. Vicente would have liked it.

Saint Vicente was born in Albufeira in 1590. At that time, Albufeira was no more than a castle with a small village. He studied in Lisbon. After his parents died he began to travel. He visited Spain, Mexico, the Philippines and Japan. He died on September 3, 1623. September 3 is observed as his special day in Albufeira.