Friday, September 5, 2008

Portuguese Feast this weekend

I received an email about this weekend’s Portuguese Feast at Sacred Heart Church:

"It is a continuation of traditional feasts that reach back for centuries in Portugal and into early last century in East Boston. Saturday is most popular with folks as festivities include a ceremonial “Blessing of the Pensons,” DJ and Portuguese Folk Dancers. We also have food and drinks available, while complimentary red wine and sweet bread flow pretty liberally.


On Sunday we process from our club location on Putnam Street, with all of the girls dressed in white carrying the symbolic crowns and flowers, followed by a Portuguese band and the club membership. The route takes us down Chelsea Street, through Day Square, winding up to Saratoga Street and down Brooks Street to Sacred Heart. The 10 a.m. Mass will culminate in a blessing of the crown and an offering of sweet bread to members of the congregation. Immediately following, we will process once again but will wind up back at church hall, where we will have dinner. I have provided the schedule below and hope to see you and lots of new folks there!


Saturday 9/6:

5:00 Holy Ghost Feast Begins

7:00 Blessing of the Pensons

8:00 Traditional Portuguese Folk Performance by Folklorica de Alto Minho Dancers

11:00 Saturday Evenings activities wrap up


Sunday 9/7:

9:30 Procession leaves 196 Putnam St .

10:00 Procession Arrives at Sacred Heart Church and Mass Begins

10:50 Procession Departs Sacred Heart Church

11:30 Procession Returns to Sacred Heart Church

12:00 Dinner Begins in Church Hall


All Feast activities, aside from the procession, will be held at Sacred Heart Church.”

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Jim,
Thanks for helping us to spread the word. Despite the rain, the Feast of the Holy Ghost was pretty successful. Yesterday's weather was beautiful for the procession and we saw many new faces from outside of the typical membership.

Thanks again,
Celeste Myers
Vice President,
Empire of the Holy Ghost Portuguese Club of East Boston