Império Micaelense

The “Domingas,” a tradition of the Micaelense Holy Ghost Society, lasts for seven weeks. It starts on the Sunday six weeks before Pentecost and ends on the Sunday after. Each week, the Holy Ghost Crown is hosted by a different household where the rosary is recited daily. Everyone is welcome to visit on Sundays from two o’clock on and during the week beginning at six o’clock. The rosary is prayed at seven o’clock.

The end of the “domingas” culminates with a weekend celebration. On Saturday evening, a rosary is recited followed by music, dancing and food at the Portuguese Club. On Sunday a Coronation Mass is held at Saint Michael’s Church after which a procession takes place from the Church to the Club. Participating in the cortege are members of the Micaelense Holy Ghost Society, local Portuguese Bands and members of other local Portuguese organizations. Once the procession arrives at the Club the traditional “sopas” are served to everyone.

This Holy Ghost Society was founded in 1914 under the name of “Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo da Trindade” (Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost of Trinity) by immigrants from the Island of São Miguel, Azores, reorganized in 1939, and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 27, 1962 as “Fraternal Beneficente Micaelense do Divino Espírito Santo da Trindade”.