The blessing of the food is part of the tradition of the Festa do Espirito Santo de Manteca.

Fr. Ramakoti Sakani of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church presided over this noon time service Friday at FESM Hall, 230 N. Main St.

That’s where the Holy Spirit Festa will once again be held, featuring plenty of food, including Sopa and meat meals as well as sweet bread.

The public is invited to this local Portuguese event.

The schedule is as followed:

·         Today – 6:30 p.m., recitation of the Rosary; 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Dance with Sem Duvida; 9 p.m., Presentation of the queens and committee.

·         Sunday – 9:30 a.m., Formation of the parade; 10:30 a.m., celebration of the Mass; 1 p.m., lunch; 2 p.m., Auction of gifts; 6 p.m., dinner; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Dance with Alma.

The lunch and dinner will be served to everyone present on Sunday.

The parade – accompanied by Azores Band of Escalon and Filarmonica Uniao Portuguesa de Santa Clara – will go from FESM Hall to St. Anthony, 505 E. North St., leading up to the Sunday mass celebration by the Most Reverend, Bishop Myron J. Cotta.

Honored as “Presidente” for this year’s Festa are Blake and Stephanie Gonsalves.

They’re joined by “Vice Presidente” John and Tiffany Enes.

Serving as the 2025 “Rainha Grande” or Big Queen is Cianna Leonardo, who will be alongside Gabriela Brazil (Aia) and Amalia Silva (Aia).

Eliana Gonsalves is the “Rainha Pequena,” with Natalia Gonsalves (Aia) and Emery King (Aia) serving as the Little Side Maids.

In addition, Margie and Gabe Goncalves is the “Secretario” while Melissa and Carlos Gaspar are the “Tesoureira.” John & Yurica Avila and Sergio & Annabelle Leonardo are this year’s “Marshals.”