Império do Espírito Santo da Canada de Belém

The Império do Espírito Santo da Canada de Belém, is located in the parish of Terra Chã, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

It was built in the second half of the 20th century, in 1958, by a group of five men guided by Mr. José Sousa dos Santos.

Although this empire was built in that year, the Brotherhood parties were already held earlier, at the beginning of the century, with a collapsible structure, made of wood. This empire celebrates its festival in honor of the Divine Holy Spirit on the fifth Sunday after Easter, that is, the day on which the procession of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres takes place in Ponta Delgada.

Like the other empires, the party program of this brotherhood depends on the financial resources acquired by the organizing committee for this purpose. The celebrations of the cult of the Divine begin with the removal of the crown and other insignia of the Holy Spirit, on the Sunday before the feast, from the butler’s house to the empire, accompanied by some musicians from the parish’s philharmonic.

This is followed by the rosary that is prayed in the empire at the end of the afternoon, every day of the week, where all the brothers and other people who wish to do so can participate. On Thursdays, whenever possible, there is a pezinho and respective singing in the afternoon. At night, there are lights, a bazaar and a tavern.

On Saturday, the distribution of pensions, consisting of meat and bread, is carried out by all the brothers who contributed with their gifts to the empire. As on the previous day, there is lighting and the performance of a group/musical group and/or artist invited by the committee. On Sunday, in the morning, the procession leaves Largo do Império, accompanied by a philharmonic, to the parish church, where the mass is celebrated, followed by the coronation.

After this liturgical act, the procession returns to the empire, followed by the distribution of bread and water to those present. Afterwards, there may be a meal in the empire’s pantry, destined for the people who were part of the procession. On Saturday and Sunday, brotherhoods can be paid by brothers who wish to do so.

After the soups of the Holy Spirit, butlers are appointed for the following year and alfenim are distributed throughout the parish, with the aim of raising funds for the empire. This is accompanied by some musicians from the philharmonic and the crackling of rockets. On this same day, at night, there is lighting and tavern. At the end, the draws are drawn for the Sundays for the new year.

The celebration of this empire ends on Monday, with a trip to the bush and a rope bullfight in Canada de Belém.

Source: http://roteirodesazores.com/festa/imperio-do-espirito-santo-da-canada-de-belem/

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