Historical Summary

According to the traditional book of records, the jumpstart of the Great New England Holy Ghost Feast happened on March 8, 1986, at the office of Comercial dos Açores, Inc., Fall River, Massachusetts. For that meeting, several people had previously been summoned.

Although the devotion to the Divine is considered one of the most distinct chapters of the Azorean immigrant history, well documented since the 19^th century, by the Irmandades (Brotherhoods) and Impérios (Empires) existing in this area, the idea of joining all the brotherhoods (understandably dispersed geographically and by its insular heritage) in a huge Journey of ethnic-religious commingling, boiled in the mindes and hearts of many immigrants.

Well into the mid 1980s, when the majority of population in the U.S (and in the Azores as well) was living happy moments of abundance, some dynamic spirits were able to foresee the psychosocial conditions to frame the immigrants under the banner of the Divine.

This is how, the immigrant Heitor Sousa, native of Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel Azores, a known devotee of the Azorean traditions, had the know-how to “discover” not only the opportunity, but he also had the good-luck to find dedicated associates; he had, above all, the cleverness to cultivate “common-ground” for a new “union” among the generations scattered through the Diaspora, putting them under the unmistakably banner of the Divine.

Therefore, hereby is registered, that from a simple chat among two immigrants from São Miguel, fond of the traditions and costums of their homeland, in this case Heitor Sousa and José R. Costa, a spartk was generated leading to high the flames of enthusiasm in the minds and hearts of many other people, from other islands, and solidly gathering them in a huge festive union in honor of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.

Generally, the New England winters are long and cold. During this time it is not rare to see snow at the roads’ edge, and around the houses for many weeks. Many of the immigrants arriving from more temperate climates, as in the case of the Azores, are forced to stay indoors, losing almost, the appetite for social gatherings.

Apparently, the immigrants who visited Comercial dos Açores, on that night of March 1986, were unaware of the wintry conditions: their hears were sufficiently warm by the anticipated happiness of the Great Feast, as they elaborated the first program for August 8, 9, and 10 of that year.

Evidently, on March 8, 1986, as recorded in the minutes, the participants unanimously agreed to the annual Great Feast of the Divine, in Fall River; to invite all Brotherhoods of the Holy Spirit; to invite all the Luso-American philharmonic bands; that the complementary leisure and cultural activities of the festivities take place on John F. Kennedy park’s south side; and the office of Comercial dos Açores would serve as temporary headquarters for the initial committee of the Great Feast. It was also understood that the religious ceremonies pertaining to the Coronation would be held at St. Anne’s Church, across the street from Kennedy Park.

Curiously, no one remembers anymore the soothsayers of the time – they were people who quickly decreed scansions, or voice their omens against the boldness of honoring the Divine against the limits imposes by a retrograde religious community.