Religion is present on a daily basis in the lives of men at sea, and this was especially the case at the time of the Portuguese Discoveries, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. One of the main goals of the Portuguese voyages at the time was the conversion of the different people the Portuguese came into contact with, mainly through missionary work. Usually, ships would carry several priests that were on their way to missions scattered throughout the World being responsible for ensuring morality in very inhospitable environments.
On the other hand, the harshness of life at sea and the dangers that sailors encountered meant that in times of distress they would ask for divine help. When miracles did happen, sailors would often show their appreciation through artistic works, namely votive offerings.