Holy Ghost Feast COMMITTEE
Mordomo 2025-2026
Fr. Freddie Babiczuk
Each year at the close of the Easter Season, our parish joyfully celebrates the culmination of the Holy Ghost Feast. Throughout the weeks of Easter, beginning on Easter Sunday, parishioners gather for prayer in the home of a parish family, followed by the crowning of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful tradition is a treasured expression of faith, devotion, and community that has been passed down through generations.
The Holy Ghost Feast Committee organizes many of the parish’s fundraising and special events throughout the year. All parishioners are invited to share their time and talents by helping in a variety of ways, including selling tickets, preparing or serving meals, and assisting with event setup and cleanup.
If you would like to learn more about this meaningful tradition or how you can become involved, please contact the parish office.
History
THE HOLY GHOST CROWN DEVOTION
During the fifty days of the Easter Season, our parish observes the beautiful devotion of the Holy Ghost Crown. This tradition traces its roots back to the thirteenth century, when Queen Elizabeth of Portugal sponsored a meal for the poor on the Feast of Pentecost. In a powerful gesture, she removed her own crown and placed it upon the heads of the poor, signifying that they possessed a greater royalty because the Holy Spirit dwelt within them. Tradition holds that she later gave her crown to the Church, giving rise to the custom of crowning on Pentecost.
Over time, this practice developed into the Holy Ghost Crown we use today. At the top of the crown is a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The scepter, also adorned with a dove, represents the scepter used by Queen Elizabeth. Following the crowning, a meal is traditionally shared, known as Sopas do Espírito Santo, or “Soup of the Holy Spirit,” as a sign of charity and fellowship.
This devotion spread throughout the Azorean Islands, where it remains strong, and was carried by the Azorean people wherever they settled. It continues today as a vibrant expression of faith and community.
In the present devotion, seven households each host the Holy Ghost Crown for one week. Each week is known as a Dominga. During that time, parishioners are invited to visit the home for prayer and fellowship.
At the end of the week, the family brings the Crown to the church for the crowning ceremony. The Crown is accompanied by the red Holy Ghost Flag, bearing the image of the dove. Both the Crown and the Flag are placed in a place of honor in the church. At the conclusion of Mass, the family approaches the altar with the person designated to be crowned. A hymn is sung as the priest places the crown upon the person’s head. The crown is then incensed, and those present venerate the scepter.
In our parish, each household is also assigned one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. A small banner displaying that gift is placed in the home and brought to the church. The pastor reflects on the meaning of the gift both in his homily during the crowning and during his visit to the household.
This cherished devotion continues to unite our parish in prayer, tradition, and celebration of the Holy Spirit’s presence among us.
Previous Mordomos
1997 - Eugenia and John DaSilva
1998 - Lourdes and Paulo Carvalho
1999 - Graça and Duarte Furtado
2000 - Olga and Carlos Camara
2001 - Filomena and Antonio Sousa
2002 - Teresa and Mario Resendes
2003 - Ana and Fernando Rego
2004 - Fr. Luis Cardoso
2005 - Charlotte and Vasco Faria
2006 - Urselina and Fernando Machado
2007 - Ana and Eric Resendes
2008 - Ana and Paul Sousa
2009 - Mrs. Eduarda Barbosa
2010 - Filomena and Jorge Furtado
2011 - Mrs. Donatilde Sousa
2012 - Angie and Rudy Felizola
2013 - Maria and Alvaro Moniz
2014 - Justin Reis
2015 - Scotty Silva
2016 - Michael Sousa/Scotty Silva
2017 - Silvana and Martinho Sousa
2018 - St. Michael School
2019 - Venilia and Duarte Camara
2020-2022 - Shanna and Michael Lubold
2023 - Naythan Aguiar
2024 - Brittany and Joseph Almeida
2025 - Michael Aguiar and Sierra Penacho