Annual Festa do Espirito Santo
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 06/09/2019
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To complete construction work on the Capela, boat owners would leave a crewmember at home paying him 25 cents a ton for his efforts. In 1922 the Portuguese community of San Diego proudly inaugurated the União Portuguesa Açoreana Sociedade do Espírito Santo, which translates to the United Portuguese Azorean Society of the Holy Spirit, Capela or the U.P.A.S.E.S. Chapel and Hall. The Chapel, you will visit later in the tour, is 1 of only 2 original Portuguese chapels in California.
As more and more Portuguese immigrated to San Diego in hopes of finding better lives for their families, the need for a larger hall was recognized. There were immigrants from the Azores, Madeira, and the mainland continent of Portugal. No matter from what region of Portugal they were from, they were all Portuguese and all were welcomed. The community pooled together resources and acquired financing. The original hall from 1922 was then moved and a new hall was constructed. In 1948 the current União Portuguesa Sociedade do Espírito Santo, which translates to the United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit, or U.P.S.E.S. Inc. Hall was opened. Mr. M.O. Medina served as the first President and remained so for 51 years.
The Crown “Coroa”
The Crown has a double significance. First is represents the supreme dominion of the Holy Spirit. Second it reminds us of the royalty of Queen Saint Isabel. The Scepter of the Crown is accented by a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit whose love was so manifest in the Queen’s life. Lastly, the Platter serves as a stand for the crown and scepter and represents the people.
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