“TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE FIESTA SET – Point Loma’s Portuguese community will launch a 3-day Pentecostal celebration next Friday in a tradition that dates back to 1323. Several thousand persons, both as participants and spectators, are expected to take part in the event, which marks the feast of the holy spirit, said Mr. MANUEL O. MEDINA, President of the Sociedade do Espirito Santo (i.e. Society of the Holy Spirit – ed.) at the United Portuguese Hall. The fiesta honors Queen Isabel, who in 1323 ended a bloody war between her husband and son by riding between the two battle lines and persuading the two to make peace.
QUEEN A SAINT
The queen, who was canonized a saint in 1625 by Pope Urban VIII, was devoted to the Holy Ghost and was noted for her feeding of the poor. The San Diego Portuguese Community has held the annual celebration here since 1918 (*Note the different ‘beginning’ year, now commonly referred to as 1910 – ed.). Reigning over this year’s celebration will be Miss MICHELLE MILLER, age 15. Her sister, Miss PATRICIA MILLER, age 5, will be the Little Queen, and young Mr. ROBERT DeMELLO, age 10, will be the Little King (Queen Michelle’s sidemaids will be Miss LYNN ISADORE & Miss LILLY ROSA – ed.). Festivities will be centered around the Hall at the foot of Addison Street, where a dance for teenagers will be held from 8:00 to 12:00 pm Friday night.
PROCESSION SLATED
On Saturday, May 29th, the traditional candlelit ‘Procession of Lights’ will leave the hall at 7:00 p.m., led by the Queen, and go to St. Agnes Catholic Church, at Addison (aka. Avenida de Portugal nowadays – ed.) and Evergreen Sts., for a recitation of the Rosary. After the church ceremony, participants will will return to the Hall for a dance and bazaar which will feature Portuguese foods, games, and music.
Another Procession, leaving the Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 30th, will be held. It will again go to the church for a High Mass at 11:00 am and the coronation of Queen Michelle. Medina said (San Diego) Mayor Curran, Supervisor Jack Walsh, and former Supervisor Frank Gibson are expected to take part in the Procession. Several Civic and Church organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society, along with the St. Augustine High School Band and Ozzie Union Bands will join the parade. After the Mass, the fiesta (aka. ‘Festa’ – ed.) will resume at the Portuguese Hall, where a coronation banquet will be held throughout the afternoon. It will include entertainment by the POINT LOMA STRINGS, a popular local Portuguese musical group. Festivities will end with the Coronation Ball that evening. The dance will be interrupted by an auction of Portuguese breads, cakes, and other specialties. Medina said proceeds from the bazaar and auction are used to defray the cost of the annual event.” ~ This year’s Sponsor was Mr. and Mrs. ANTONIO OLIVERA (aka. ‘Oliveira’ – ed.) of 3033 Quimby St., and “donations from the fishing industry helped finance the event. – May 31st Union newspaper – ed.”
(*Source: EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Friday, May 21, 1971 – Pg. 4)