For the 90th year, the community will gather this week to celebrate the Holy Ghost Festa. Hosted by the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America No. 16, the festivities will begin Thursday at 6 p.m. with a blessing and offering and celebrations will continue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The following is the full agenda of the four-day Holy Ghost Festa:
Thursday, July 19
6 p.m.: Blessing of the Meat and Offerings followed by Rosary Hall #4
Friday, July 20
7 a.m.: Distribution of Sopas (Plastic and Glass containers are prohibited)
7 p.m.: Praying of the Rosary – Hall #4
8:30 p.m.: Cantoria
Maria Clara, Antonio Izidro, Jose Placido, Jose Borges, Manuel dos Santos,
Adelino Toledo, Joao Rodrigues, Jose Ribeiro, Abel Raposo,
Tocadores: Manuel Felipe, Luis Camara, Dimas Toledo, George Reis & Chris Martins
Saturday, July 21
11 a.m.: Mass - Hall #1
12:30 p.m.: Formation of the Bodo de Leite
1 p.m.: Bodo de Leite starts with the traditional Pezinho:
Sweet bread, cheese and milk served to all that are present
3 p.m.: Performances of Local Folklore Groups
4 p.m.: Animal Recognition
6 p.m.: Concert with Filarmónica Recreio do Emigrante Portugues
7 p.m.: Praying of the Rosary – Chapel
8 p.m.: Dance with performance by Raça – OUTSIDE
8:15 p.m.: Presentation of the Queens, President and Officers
9:00 p.m.: Cantoria ~ Hall #1
Sunday, July 22
10 a.m.: Greetings by the Filarmónicas to the President and Officers
10:30 a.m.: Formation of the Parade in front of the Chapel
10:45 a.m.: Parade to exit Thornton Ave with the destination of St. Edwards Catholic Church
11:30 a.m.: Mass accompanied by the choir of St. Edwards
12:45 p.m.: Parade from Church to the Chapel of the Newark Pavilion, accompanied by Portuguese Bands; Recreio do Emigrante Portugues of Newark and
Nova Aliança of San Jose, and The Portuguese Band of Santa Clara
2:15 p.m.: Religious Ceremonies in front of the Chapel upon return of the Parade,
(with anthems; American, Portuguese and Espirito Santo)
2:15 p.m.: Sopas served to all that are present
3 p.m.: Auction and Bazaar throughout the day
5 p.m.: Dance with performance by Manuel Jacinto – Hall #1
