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94th annual FESM Holy Ghost festa rooted in 14th century
Citations costing $1,000 each will soon be in the mail to 99 people who ignored Manteca’s intensive campaign on social media, utility bills, portable electronic messaging signs placed on major arterials, and traditional signage warning of the consequences
FESM presidents
FESM Presidents John and Tiffany Enes next to a photo of their daughter (left in picture) from a previous festa that is part of a gallery at the 200 North Main Street hall.

Keeping the faith and tradition alive was the driving force behind the Festa do Divino Espírito Santo Manteca (FESM) being established in 1932.

That tradition is a festival of thanksgiving dating back to the 14th century when Queen Isabel risked the wrath of her husband King Diniz to feed needy is kept going by Portuguese societies in California and throughout the world.

On a day when her husband confronted her as she was leaving to take bread hidden under her cloak to help feed the poor as she did on a daily basis, he demanded to know what she was carrying.

Isabel replied it was roses. And when she lifted up her cloak, it was indeed roses instead of the bread she set out with, hence the miracle of the roses

In Manteca, volunteers this week will be preparing two free meals “open to all comers” for lunch and dinner on Sunday, July 12, offering the traditional sopas to carry on part of the centuries old celebration of the 14th century miracle.

This year, the traditional stew involves 4,000 pounds of meat, 1,000 loaves of bread, as well as vegetables.

Overseeing the 94th FESM’s 94th annual Holy Ghost celebration are Presidents John and Tiffany Enes.

“When we accepted this role, we knew just how deeply our faith, culture, and traditions were important to keep going, not only for us, but for as our children as well,” the husband-wife team notes in their presidents’ message. “Watching our children grow with FESM and be ready to carry on the traditions of their heritage has truly been a humbling experience.”

The Recitation of the Rosary is taking place daily at 6:30 p.m. through Saturday, July 11, at the FESM Hall in the 200 block of North Main Street

There is also a Dance with Alma from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. The presentation of the Queens and Committee takes place at 9 p.m. during a pause in the dance.

The long list of Sunday, July 12, activities include:

*The formation of the parade at 9:30 a.m. to St. Anthony’s Church accompanied by the Azores and of Escalon and Filamonica Uniao Portuguese de Santa Clara.

*The 10:30 a.m. celebration of the mass by the Most Reverend Bishop Myron J. Cotta.

*1 p.m. lunch of sopa and meat served to everyone present.

*2 p.m. auction of gifts.

*6 p.m. dinner of sopa and meat served to everyone present.

*7 to 11 p.m. dance with Alcides Machado.