Feast of Saint Nuno of Saint Mary in Portugal Date in the current year: November 6, 2024

Nuno Álvares Pereira was born on June 24, 1360 in Flora da Rosa, central Portugal. At the age of 13 he started participating in military campaigns and soon showed himself as an excellent leader. At the age of 24 Nuno was appointed the Constable of Portugal, thus he became the second most important person in the kingdom after the King of Portugal.

Nuno Álvares Pereira had countless honors, but after the death of this wife he became a friar in the Order of Carmelites and changed his name to Nuno of Saint Mary. He lived as a friar till his death on April 1, 1431.

Nuno was venerated by Pope Benedict XV on January 23, 1918. The Order of Carmelites celebrated the obligatory memorial day on April 1. Pope Pius XII canonized Nuno in 1940, but the ceremony was postponed due to diplomatic reasons. Pope Benedict XVI signed two decrees in Rome on July 3, 2008, promulgating Nuno's heroic virtues, thus formally canonizing him. The formal celebration of the canonization took place on April 26, 2009. The Order or Carmelites and Portugal celebrate the feast on November 6, while April 1 is the feast day of Saint Nuno of Saint Mary in other countries.