The 108th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is set to take place August 1-4 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a religious and cultural festivity deeply rooted in Catholic traditions, celebrating the spirit of the New Bedford community, by bringing together shared traditions of faith, family, food, and fun.
Established in 1915, by the immigrant community of Madeira descent, the feast occurs annually on the first weekend in August.
The four-day event, gathering over 100,000 people at the heart of New Bedford’s North End, is recognized as the largest ethnic festival in New England.
Also known as “Festa do Santíssimo Sacramento,” the feast has endured for over a century as a testament to the legacy of the Madeiran immigrants in New Bedford.
Starting on Thursday, August 1, at 6 p.m. with the Festeiros (Feast Committee Members), the feast assembles at the intersection of Earle St. and Acushnet Avenue, proceeding to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church.
The highlight of the feast is the Sunday procession, where the Blessed Sacrament is carried through the city. Participants often dressed in formal attire, walk the streets decorated with flowers, lights, and religious banners.
The festival also hosts local bands, cultural groups, and floats, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the New Bedford Portuguese American community, showcasing traditional Madeiran music, dance, and food,
The festival grounds provide a variety of traditional Portuguese dishes such as carne de espeto, linguiça, bacalhau, malassadas, and more such as a carnival with rides and games, making it a family-friendly event attracting not only local participants but also thousands of visitors from other regions who come to experience the vibrant celebrations and the strong sense of community, bringing together people of all ages to celebrate their shared heritage and faith.
Live entertainment will be available across five locations including: Thursday Night: Badfish, a tribute band to Sublime; Friday Night: Fooz Fighters, a tribute band to the Foo Fighters; Saturday Night: Portuguese singer Nélia; Sunday Night: Local BandFaith, known for their fusion of Portuguese and Latin music.
The guest Madeiran Grupo Folclórico da Casa do Povo da Camacha, a 30-plus member folkloric group, will perform daily at 8:pm throughout the festival, adding an authentic cultural touch. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.
For more information visit Feast of the Blessed Sacrament
PAJ/Staff
The Portuguese connection with New England developed in the early eighteenth century with the first settlers from the Azores, Madeira, and mainland Portugal, primarily seeking better economic opportunities. Drawn by the demand for experienced sailors and fishermen, they became involved in the booming whaling industry, in places like New Bedford.
As a more significant wave of immigration from Madeira settled in New Bedford, in the 1860s they comprised up to 60% of whaling crews. Soon after they started looking for new opportunities in emerging industries, particularly the textile mills, and other activities such as construction and service industries, contributing to the economic vitality of New England.
They brought with them a strong Roman Catholic faith, which led to the establishment of numerous Catholic churches and religious societies in New England. Their cultural traditions, including festivals, music, and cuisine, became integral parts of local life.
Like many other immigrant groups, they faced challenges such as discrimination and prejudice. However, they gradually overcame these barriers through community solidarity and hard work.
Over time, many individuals of Portuguese descent have made significant contributions in education, science, politics, public service, arts and entertaiment in New England and across the country. Their entrepreneurial spirit has led to the establishment of numerous businesses and ventures.
Today, Portuguese immigrants and their descendants continue celebrating their heritage, such as the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford, among the largest ethnic festivals in the United States and the world.
The Portuguese American community in the United States comprises over 1,300 million. The states with the largest Portuguese populations are California (330,974); Massachusetts (279,722); Rhode Island (99,445); New Jersey (78,196); Florida (48,974), and Hawaii (48,527). The states with the highest percentages of Portuguese population are Rhode Island (9.7%); Massachusetts (4.4%); Hawaii (4%); Connecticut (1.3%); New Hampshire (1.2%); California (1.1%); New Jersey (1.1%); Nevada (0.6%); Florida (0.3%). Fall River (MA), with a total population of 95,072, remains the city with the highest proportion of ethnically Portuguese residents (43.9%) in the United States.
PAJ/Staff
