Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau will issue the stamp theme “400^th Anniversary of the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha” on 9^th October, 2022. The Chapel of Our Lady of Penha is located on the top of the Penha Hill. It was originally constructed by the Augustinians in 1622, reconstructed in 1837 and 1935 respectively, and was fully renovated in 1999.

There is a marble statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the churchyard, with her hands folded in prayer overlooking the sea. There is a grotto down the stone steps, which was built in honour of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France in 1858. In front of the grotto, there are several rows of slate benches for visitors to sit and pray.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, with its unique architectural style and spire-style clock tower, not only made the Chapel one of the landmarks in the western end of Macao peninsula, but also a part of the territory’s precious cultural heritage. It is listed in the category of “Buildings of architectural interest” under the Classified Immovable Properties according to the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.

This issue includes a set of two stamps and one souvenir sheet. The design adopts a modern and simple illustration style, with soft and calm colours, to bring out the feeling of tranquility, sanctity and solemnity that the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha has conveyed over these 400 years.

The above issue will be available for sale at the General Post Office (9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.), and the Communications Museum (9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.). The mail service for the philatelic products cancelled with the commemorative postmark of this issue will be available on the issue date at the above locations. The philatelic products are as follows:

Besides the above philatelic products, the presentation pack with the theme “400^th Anniversary of the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha” will also be released. This pack contains one set of two stamps, one souvenir sheet, one first day cover with stamps and one first day cover with souvenir sheet. It is priced at MOP110.00.

The stamp designer of this issue is Mr. Vai Chi Hang, and the text of the information brochure is written by the Macao Catholic Culture Association.

This is the eleventh theme of 2022 issues. The previous issued stamps are “Lunar Year of the Tiger” on 05/01/2022, “Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022” on 25/01/2022, the label stamp “Lunar Year of the Tiger” on 15/02/2022, “Red Cotton Tree Flower” on 01/03/2022, “Sixth Patriarch – Hui Neng” on 10/03/2022, “70^th Anniversary of the Nursery Service of the Women’s General Association” on 21/05/2022, “50^th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” on 10/06/2022, “Feast of Saint John” on 24/06/2022, “Macanese Gastronomy” on 20/07/2022, “Historical School Buildings in Macao” on 09/09/2022, and “120^th Anniversary of Banco Nacional Ultramarino” on 20/09/2022.

Technical Data of Stamp “400^th Anniversary of the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha”

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