Friday, June 5, 2026
This past Sunday, May 31st, I joined the The Catholic Community of...
This past Sunday, May 31st, I joined the The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport's Faithful and 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 Feast of Holy Spirit procession comprised of both children and adults, departing from the DES Portuguese American Club on Prospect Street. The procession walked to Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for Mass at 11:45 P.M., where the Crowning ceremony took place. Following Mass a celebratory Traditional Sopas ensued and I was honored to share remarks at the banquet.
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.
