Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Gloucester’s Portuguese Crowning Tradition
This
past Sunday, June 15th, I joined the Portuguese community in
Gloucester in honoring a celebrated Crowning ceremony, a tradition that has
been embedded in Portuguese history since the 14th century. The
morning started with a parade of both children and adults, departing from the
DES Portuguese American Club on Prospect Street. The parade, complete with both
banners and music, walked to Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for Mass at 10:00
A.M., where the Crowning ceremony took place.
Following Mass a celebratory feast ensued.
The Portuguese
Crowning tradition first started during Queen Isabella of Portugal’s reign, who
is credited with the annual practice of naming one of her subjects as king for
a day. Portuguese immigrants brought the Crowning ceremony to Gloucester, and
other parts of the country, over 100 years ago. The ceremony is one full of
prayer, joy, and tradition. Gloucester has been honoring this tradition since
1902. I am grateful to have been apart of this year’s commemoration.
The
photo posted above was taken by my friend Manuel Simões. To see more photos that he took of this past
Sunday’s event, please click here. Posted below are a few photos I was able to
capture during the feast.
