Holy Ghost Feast
Origin and Tradition
The Portuguese Feast of the
Holy Ghost is a tradition of adoration to the third
person of the Blessed Trinity. The feast and its
traditions were modeled after the example set by Queen
Isabella (or Elizabeth) of Portugal (1271-1336).
Queen Isabella, who
was canonized in 1626, was devoted to the Holy Spirit
and works of charity to the poor and sick. Portuguese
folklore indicates that the Queen would carry food out
of the castle under her cloak. Her husband, King
 Denis,
asked to see what she carried under her cloak. As she
removed the bread, it had miraculously turned into a
bouquet of roses and she was never again questioned.
 She
would give the poor "pensaos" which consisted of meat,
bread, and wine which they took home to their families.
During her reign, she would serve meals to the poor on
the feast of the Trinity and "crown" a subject to
demonstrate that they were equal in God’s eyes. The
individual honored was known as the "imperador" and
later as the "mordomo".
 The
insignia of the Holy Spirit, the dove, was prominently
displayed on the Queen’s royal trappings - her crown,
banner and scepter. Facsimiles of these articles are
still used in the religious traditions of the Feast and
are displayed on the altar when they are not in use
during the eight weeks prior to the Feast.
Two colors are used in
conjunction with the feast: red and white. Red
symbolizes the tongues of fire, the form in which the
Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, and white
symbolizes peace, purity and divinity. The seven gifts
of the Holy Spirit are symbolized by our seven weeks (domingas)
of adoration from Easter Sunday through Pentecost
Sunday.
The Crown, symbolizing the
Holy Spirit, is delivered to each "dominga" family for
one week beginning on Easter Sunday. During each
families week of hosting the Holy Spirit, their home is
open to the public and at 8:00 PM the rosary is recited
in front of their altar. Following the recitation of the
rosary, the traditional Portuguese sweetbread (massa),
wine, and other refreshments are served.
At the completion of each
week, the dominga family returns to 10:00 mass in a
cortege. Immediately following mass, the cortege forms
on the altar for the "crowning" ceremony. After mass,
the cortege travels to the next dominga home and
presents the family with the crown, beginning their
week. The eighth and final dominga of the year is at the
Mordomo’s home from Sunday through Friday evening.
The two days of the feast
are the highlight of this beautiful tradition. On
Saturday, the eve of Trinity Sunday, the crown is moved
to the Holy Ghost Hall (Fenner Avenue). On that evening
a roast beef dinner is served prior to recitation of the
rosary and musical entertainment ends the evening. On
Trinity Sunday all the dominga families process from
Holy Ghost Hall to church for the final crowning of the
year at 10:00 mass. After mass, all eight corteges,
joined by bands and invited guests, march in procession
back to Holy Ghost Hall. Traditional "sopas" (Portuguese
soup) and roast beef are served to all attending in like
manner to Saint Isabella serving her subjects.
The entire Feast day is
filled with devotion and unity. The Feast celebration
officially ends after selection of the seven dominga
names and the announcement of the new Mordomo.
2003 Feast Photo Album
2002 Feast Photo Album |
