Legend of Our Lady of Aguiar

The saint has been venerated for several centuries, following the precious help she gave to Portuguese troops during the Battle of Castelo Rodrigo between Castilians and Portuguese, fought in 1664 in the fields that surround the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar. Despite being a larger number, the Spanish were defeated. The dead and wounded were so many that the conflict was known as the «Batalha da Salgadela». According to the legend, the saint had a significant role in the Portuguese victory, since she absorbed in her cloak the bullets that the Castilians fired, keeping the Portuguese from being hit. A Castilian saw Our Lady and told his brothers in arms:
"— Look, the Caped Saint is stopping bullets with a basket.” At one point, soldiers from both sides watched in wonder as Our Lady rose into the air, surrounded by a halo, and disappeared into the clouds. At this time, the Portuguese knew that Our Lady of Aguiar had rescued them, hearing their pleas.