Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1919-05-17
THE PoRTUGEsE CATHOLICS
And Their Beautiful Celebration Of
The Feast of The Holy Ghost

In accordance with the glorious ira
ditions and beautiful customs of their
race, the Portuguese of Yerington and
Nevada will this year celebrate the
feast of Pentecost in our City OF Yer
ington, June 9Th. 1919. E
For centuries this has been the
great feast among a people given to
celebrating many religious festivals.
AT present the government of Portu-
gal has curtailed the observance of
most religious festivals and has made
it very hard to hold even a few cele-
brations on Pentecost Sunday But
do what it may, the Portuguese govern
ment can never crush out OF the
hearts OF its people their deep indy
ing love for the Holy Ghost. No
matter where they wander; no mat
ter how poorly they practice their
faith; no matter how irreverent even,
in other matters the Feast OF Perte
cost never passes without recalling
to the hearts and minds OF the Portu-
gese people thoughts and feelings of
love and vereration OF God. Many
have been The miraculous favors be-
slowed ON this race by the Holy
Ghost and through the interoession
of St Elizabeth OF Portugal. The
traditions concerning the conierring
OF these grrat blessings offer wealth
OF suggestion to poets and prose
writers
The yeneration OF the Holy Ghost
by the Portuguese is a real aTsd vital
part OF their lives. In trials and sor
rows OF All kinds to Him they have
recourse, in joys and blessings they
see His hand Not yearly but daily
they practice devotion to Him.
The celebration which is held ev
cry year fon the feast comhines the
religious with the social, but the re-
I ligious i. in the ascendency
| High Mass. a special sermon. pub
lie prayers and almsgiving are the
/ chief features OF all the celebrations;
and wllSYe there is no priest to sing
Mass and preach an appropriate
sermon. 1he day is not observed pub
I liciy. Sie evening before the Feast,
after the recitation OF the Rosary. the
! singing of hymns and other devotions,
/ the time is given over TO exhibition
of fireworks and to social pleasures.
I On Sunday morning procession
I leaves the hall for the church. and
! this procession is formed according
/ TO timc-honored customs b-lscd on the
/ traditions OF the race. a crown is
| carried 1y a little girl in Write and
! this represents the crown OF St Eliz-
| abeth which she promised to give as
alms il tfr II oily Ghost would preserve
her people from pestilence which
threatened threatened them Need
less to s,rg the prayer was granted.
| The customs observed at this time
vary in sights degrees in differnet
places according TO local usage; but
in essentials the manner OF keeping
| this great least is the same whether
in Portugal in her colonies, or where
ever handful of her people arc
gathered together This day is eager
" anticipated ont only by the sons
and daughters OF Portugal, but their
children born nnder other flags are
equally imbued' with their spirit. Let
goddess government do what il win,
it cannot pluck from their hearts the
roots OF a faith led by the Spirit OF
Truth: strengthened by the God OF
Love: and sanctihed by the Spirit OF
Holiness.
Rev. Joesph Cunha