Bloodless bullfights for Our Lady
Central Valley Azoreans honor Mary with a traditional Portuguese festival
A Catholic tradition thrives in the Central Valley every September when thousands gather in the small town of Gustine (Merced County) to honor Our Lady of Miracles.
The celebration honoring Our Lady of Miracles, to be held this year on the weekend of Sept. 8-10, is a Portuguese tradition, deriving from the island of Terceira in the Azores. The festa has, as one might expect, a spiritual character. According to a June 28 Mattos Newspapers article, singers welcome Our Lady to the festival on Saturday and bid farewell to her on Sunday. A novena to Our Lady of Miracles precedes the festival, which features Masses (including a 4 a.m. festival Sunday Mass) and a candlelight procession.
Read the full story here: California Catholic Daily
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.