Monday, June 10, 2024
Celebrating Portuguese Heritage Month in Gloucester and Rockport
As we continue to celebrate #NationalPortugeseHeritage
month, I am remembering how I was able to join friends, neighbors, and the
parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport together
with Father Jim, imperators David & Nancy Rose, the Holy Name Society, Our
Lady’s Guild, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish in celebrating the Crowning Feast
of the Holy Spirit last month.
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 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 a part of this year’s commemoration.