Domingas - History

·        Tradition in Portuguese Catholic churches, the Crown, a symbol of the holy spirit, is inspired by the benevolence of Portugal’s 14th Queen Isabel of Aragon, better known as St. Elizabeth of Portugal, who fed the poor, which honors the Holy Spirit,

·        On the seven Sundays, or “Domingas” in Portuguese, the families select individuals to receive special blessings and be “crowned.” Traditionally, individual families invite people into their homes, display a silver crown topped with a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and pray the rosary each night.

Domingas – Annunciation of the Lord Tradition

Each night from Sunday through Saturday, a family will be hosting their Dominga. Parishioners will gather in the parish hall each evening to pray the rosary at 7:00 pm (for approximately 1 hour). The Rosary, prayers and music are intended to strengthen our faith and grow closer to God through the Holy Spirit. Prayers are offered for the sick, those who have passed, individual personal intentions and the parish community.

This year’s celebration will begin on April 5^th, Easter Sunday as is the tradition. Following the 8:30 am Mass, Father Deston will lead the blessing of the Dominga Alter, Crown and Scepters which are representative of the Holy Spirit, in the parish hall. On the evening of Easter Sunday, the First Dominga will be hosted by Teresa Robbins.  The 7 weeks of prayer will culminate on Sunday, May 24^th,  with a procession of the Crown and family into the church to celebrate a special Mass at 12:00 noon. The Mass and Crowning will be held in the church for Jose & Teresinha Rega and family to celebrate the 7 weeks of prayerful adoration to the Holy Spirit.

This tradition is repeated every week for the next seven weeks. Host families:

1st  April 5^th to April 11^th     Teresa Robbins

2nd  April 12^th to April 18^th  Debby and Manny Inacio

3rd  April 19^th to April 25^th   Fatima, José and Teresinha Fortuna

4th  April 26^th to May 2^nd     Jaime and Aida Almeida

5th  May 3^rd to May 9^th        José Maria and Teresinha Freitas Mello

6th  May 10^th to May 16^th    Mary Jo Vieira and Jordan Spencer

7th  May 17^th to May 23^rd    Mordoma José and Teresinha  Rego 

The seventh and final Dominga will be hosted by Mordoma: José and Teresinha Rego. 

The Feast of the Pentecost is on Sunday, May 24, 2026, and marks the end of this year’s Domingas and follows the tradition brought to this country by Azorean immigrants with a service of “Soupas”.

Events of the Day:

1.     Holy Ghost Society, families, friends and parishioners gather at Our Lady of Lourdes school to process to the Church for the 12:00 Mass

2.     Mass is celebrated with the congregation as follows the weekly tradition

3.     The congregation processes back to Our Lady of Lourdes School and blessings are provided by Father Deston.

4.     Following the blessing the traditional “Soupas” is provided in the school’s hall for the entire parish, family, friends and anyone from the public who would like to attend. This event is meant to give thanks to the Holy Spirit.

NOTES-FYI:

·        The Soupas is a no charge event. 

·        The Holy Ghost Society covers all the costs via donations.

·        Donations are accepted throughout the 7 weeks, and each family sponsors a raffle held on Saturday evening after prayer with coffee and dessert.

A special word of gratitude to the members of the Holy Ghost Society and all the Parishioners who participated in the Pentecost Feast.  Thank you to all who worked so diligently serving the “Sopas” and preparing the school for the festivities.

The society donated $13,000 to the church in 2025!

IRMANDADE  DO ESPÍRITO SANTO

Uma palavra de agredecimento á Irmandade  Espírito Santo e os paroquianos pela dediçacão e  esforça despedido nestas últimas semanas de  preparação para a festa.  Obrigado a todos os que  tão diligentemente trabalharam  na cozinha e  prepararam o salão da esola.