Amigos de Santo Espírito

“Amigos de Santo Espírito” was established in 2005 by a group of people in Hudson, Massachusetts who emanated from the Community of Santo Espírito in Santa Maria, Azores.  The main purpose of the “Amigos” is to promote an annual social and cultural event in October (Saturday – Columbus Day weekend) which gathers people from Santo Espírito and their friends.  The group has raised funds for the Hudson Portuguese Club and scholarships for local youngsters.  It has also donated funds to the Parish Center of Santo Espírito.

The group is led by Dr. José M. Figueiredo, Chairman, José F. Figueiredo, Vice-Chairman, and Eva M. Chaves, Treasurer. Members of the group are: Noémia Braga, Tracy Braga, Aura Cabral, António C. Câmara, Maria S. Câmara, Diane Chaves, Elvira Chaves, Juvenália C. Figueiredo, Dinis Frias, Maria Leandres, Elvira Pavão and António M. Santos.

The group can be contacted via email at: amigosdesantoespirito@hudsonportugueseclub.org

Nossa Sra da Purificação,
Santo Espírito, Santa Maria, Azores

The community of Santo Espírito

The Community of Santo Espírito is located on the southeastern part of the island.  In 1960, this community had a population of about three thousand.  Today, it has less than eight hundred because most people emigrated to the United States and Canada.  A very large percentage of the  Portuguese-American community in Hudson has its roots in Santo Espírito.  Tradition tells us that the first Mass in the Azores, honoring the Holy Ghost, was celebrated in this parish.  Water mills and windmills used to be very popular in Santo Espírito.  Maia, a vacation sea resort, is one of the main attractions.  On a cliff overlooking Maia one finds the Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse.