The city lights up, the marches take to the streets, the stages are filled with music and dancing and the sardines are roasted in a festive atmosphere.

It's also at this time that tradition and religion come together and one of the most eagerly awaited moments for the faithful takes place: the blessing and distribution of Saint Anthony's Bread, promoted by the Parish of São Tiago de Antas in partnership with Famalicão Town Hall, on the municipal holiday of 13 June.

The bread distribution takes place at 12 noon, right after the Solemn Mass in Honour of Saint Anthony, scheduled for 10h00 in Praceta Cupertino de Miranda, and there is a ritual practised in Famalicão according to which the bread is stored from one year to the next or eaten on the same day because, according to popular tradition, as well as having a special flavour and remaining fresh and tasty long after the date of manufacture, it usually brings abundant food to the home of those who have it.

Tradition has it that St Anthony's bread represents luck and abundance to those who eat it and that it keeps for several years without spoiling.

Also known as ‘Pão Bento’ and ‘Pão dos Pobres’, this is a ritual that has been associated with the Antonine Festivities since 1906, although it was introduced to the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão a year earlier by the charity ‘O Pão de Santo António’ and the installation of an alms box in the Chapel of Santo António, in Antas, for the purpose of acquiring bread and then distributing it to the poor.

The religious celebrations on 13 June in Famalicão will also be marked by the Procession in honour of Saint Anthony, starting at 5pm in Rua Alves Roçadas.