Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
S.E.S.
(Sociedade do Espirito Santo)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 29, 2012
1. S.E.S. Marker
Inscription.
S.E.S.. (Sociedade do Espirito Santo). The Portuguese men and women of Santa Clara founded this building, commonly known as the S.E.S. Hall, in 1896. This fraternal organization was created as a means of communication and socialization. It gave the Portuguese community a place to meet, to discuss current issues and share news from the homeland. It also gave them a place to celebrate the feast of the Holy Spirit which originated over 700 years ago. This feast commemorates a miracle that happened during the reign of Queen Isabela of Portugal. In the legend during a time when there was a famine in the land Queen Isabela prayed to the Holy Spirit for help for her people. When hope was almost gone ships full of grain and food arrived in Lisbon harbor. As the miracle was realized, she took her crown and placed it on the head of a peasant girl. This action was followed by a meal for the poor consisting of ample meat, bread and wine. Today we call this meal “Sopas do Espirito Santo” which is preceded by a procession to and from St. Clare’s Church.
The Portuguese men and women of Santa Clara founded this building, commonly known as the S.E.S. Hall, in 1896. This fraternal organization was created as a means of communication and socialization. It gave the Portuguese community a place to meet, to discuss current issues and share news from the homeland. It also gave them a place to celebrate the feast of the Holy Spirit which originated over 700 years ago. This feast commemorates a miracle that happened during the reign of Queen Isabela of Portugal. In the legend during a time when there was a famine in the land Queen Isabela prayed to the Holy Spirit for help for her people. When hope was almost gone ships full of grain and food arrived in Lisbon harbor. As the miracle was realized, she took her crown and placed it on the head of a peasant girl. This action was followed by a meal for the poor consisting of ample meat, bread and wine. Today we call this meal “Sopas do Espirito Santo” which is preceded by a procession to and from St. Clare’s Church.
Location. 37° 21.221′ N, 121° 56.731′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker
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is on Lafayette Street just south of Lewis Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1299 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara CA 95050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
