Festa continues more than a century of tradition in Point Loma

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Festa Queen Jaquelyn Neves (center) and her court, Victoria Jorge (left) and Berlyn Balelo arrive for Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit) ceremonies May 23 at the United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Jerry Balelo, Jose Virissimo and Manuel Virissimo carry the flags for the commemoration of Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit), which the Point Loma Portuguese community has been celebrating since 1910 in honor of Queen St. Isabel of Portugal. (Milan Kovacevic)

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2019 Festa Queen Grace DaSilva (center) arrives for the May 23 Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit) ceremonies in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Colorful outfits were the order of the day for the Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit) ceremonies in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Deborah, Jenavieve and Brian Dutra attend the Festa do Espirito Santo ceremonies at the United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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2021 Festa Queen Jaquelyn Neves stands on the steps of the UPSES (United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit) chapel on Avenida de Portugal in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Jerry Balelo (foreground), Jose Virissimo (center) and Manuel Virissimo carry the flags for the Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit) ceremonies May 23. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Celebrants of Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit) prepare for Mass on May 23 in Point Loma. (Milan Kovacevic)

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The Rev. Donald Coleman celebrates Mass outside the UPSES (United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit) Hall for Festa do Espirito Santo on May 23. (Milan Kovacevic)

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Festa Queen Jaquelyn Neves (second from left) and her court, Victoria Jorge (left) and Berlyn Balelo (second from right) join Rainha Santa Isabel Danielle DaSilveira (right) at the Festa do Espirito Santo ceremonies May 23. (Milan Kovacevic)

May 30, 2021 9:08 AM PT

Point Loma’s Portuguese community continued its tradition that began in 1910 of celebrating Festa, or Festa do Espirito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit), with a three-day festival in honor of Queen St. Isabel of Portugal.

The festival ended May 23 with a procession from the UPSES (United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit) chapel on Avenida de Portugal to an open-air Mass next door at the UPSES Hall.

The festivities featured 2021 Festa Queen Jaquelyn Neves and her court, Berlyn Balelo and Victoria Jorge.

— Point Loma-OB Monthly staff

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