The work for Festa do Espirito Santo de Manteca (FESM) President Jeremy Goulart started long before he was heaving quarters of beef Friday morning.

Along with wife Darcy, Goulart and a committee from the 80-year-old Portuguese association were tasked with putting together a feast that will feed thousands from throughout Northern California over the course of the next two days.

That meant lining up all of the beef, the cabbage and vegetables that will stew with it in the 12 massive pots in the hall’s kitchen, and the longtime volunteers that help make it all come together – from trimming the fat from the massive slabs of meat to cooking up more than 70 pounds of sweetbread and coffee cake.

It’s Festa time in Manteca.

While the work could be somewhat overwhelming at times, Goulart wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world.

“I can’t even put into words what this experience has been like for me,” he said. “Next to my children, this has been the most rewarding and honorable thing that I’ve ever done.

“It’s a chance to share our culture with the greater community of Manteca and to share our faith – the religious aspect of everything. And it’s a chance to continue the traditions that my grandparents brought over to this country.”

In all, volunteers prepped just over 8,000 pounds of beef Friday morning that will used to make the traditional sopas – a soup-like preparation consisting of boiled beef, cabbage, spices and a handful of vegetables – served to anybody who wishes to attend the Festival of the Holy Ghost.

And it’s deeply rooted in Catholic tradition.

The meal is served in honor of Queen Isabella who when confronted by husband King Diniz about the bread she had hidden in her apron that she was smuggling to serve to the poor, opened it up to reveal roses – something that could not have grown in the January cold.

The miracle and the accompanying traditions – a special mass held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church followed by a parade back to the hall – hold a special meaning for members of the society that look forward to doing their part to continue the legacy and pass traditions down through the generations.

“For me it goes back to both of my parents being in involved at both halls and what St. Isabella (also known as St. Elizabeth) did,” said Joe Seamas. “It’s about tradition and carrying that on with my young children.

“What other nationality feeds hundreds – if not thousands – of people for free? This is something that started with my grandfather and then my dad and hopefully my daughters and then generations down the road when I’m gone.”

The first 12 initial pots – which will take overnight supervision to make sure they’re cooked-up just right – will be dispersed in trays throughout the region from the Altamont to the Foothills and from Merced all the way up to Sacramento. Those who donated to the hall as well as seniors and those who can’t make it to the Sunday feed will be Saturday recipients.

And then the community feast begins.

“This hall will fill up a couple of times throughout the day,” Goulart said. “It’ll be bittersweet to see that because it took a lot of work, but as President you get a lot of help from other people and this is something that you couldn’t do alone. I’m thankful for that support and am looking forward to the community.”