Saint Elizabeth's Holy Ghost Festival

CONTACT INFO :

SAINT ELIZABETH CHURCH
577 Wood Street.
Bristol, RI 02809-2395.
UNITED STATES.
Phone : (001) (401) 253-8366.
Fax : (001) (401) 253-7695.
E-mail : office@saintelizabethchurch.net .
Website : www.saintelizabethchurch.net .
GOOGLE MAP.

DESCRIPTION :

Saint Elizabeth Church is a Portuguese Roman Catholic Church located on Wood Street, in Bristol, RI. The church is led by Rev. Jared J. Costanza. The parish offers CCD, confirmation, bible study, baptisms, wedding arrangements, a Portuguese prayer group, Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation and daily mass in English. On Sunday, mass is held in Portuguese at 7:30 AM and noon.

In addition to church services, Saint Elizabeth Church hosts a variety of events within the community throughout the year. Events include an annual holiday bazaar, Halloween party, New Year's Eve gala, charity clam boil and a carnival at the Bristol Town Common.

Hours :

Monday to Friday : 7:30 AM.
Saturday : 5:00 PM (Easter-Advent) - 4:00 PM (Advent-Easter).
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

Masses in Portuguese :

Sunday : 7:30 AM & Noon.

Holy Day Schedule :

7:30 AM (Portuguese) - Noon (English) - 5:30 PM (English) - 7:00 PM (Portuguese).

Office :

Monday to Friday : 7:30 AM & Noon - Saturday and Sunday : Closed.

Handicap Accessible : Yes.
Parking : Free Lot and Free On-Street.
Services : Choir/Music Programs, Study Groups and Youth Programs.

ABOUT THE EVENT :

SAINT ELIZABETH'S HOLY GHOST FESTIVAL.

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal :

Born in 1271, in Aragon, Spain.
Died of fever, in July 4 1336, in Estremoz, Portugal.
Buried in Coimbra, Portugal.
Canonized in June 24, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII.

Patronage : Against Jealousy - Brides - Charitable Societies - Charitable Workers - Charities - Coimbra, Portugal - Difficult Marriages - Falsely Accused People - Invoked in Time of War - Peace - Queens - Tertiaries - Victims of Adultery - Victims of Jealousy - Victims of Unfaithfulness - Widows.

"I, Elizabeth, daughter of the Most Illustrious Don Pedro, by the grace of God...
Hereby bestow my body as the legitimate wife of King Denis of Portugal...”

Imagine the courage of 12-year-old Elizabeth, who wrote these words to a 20-year-old king she had never even met. But it was the custom in those days for the parents of a young girl like Elizabeth to give their daughter away to a man who could offer the most financial or political gain for their family. You can’t help but wonder how much the young princess understood of the document she signed, to be delivered to a man she knew nothing about.
Imagine the fidelity of Elizabeth, whose husband King Denis fathered seven illegitimate children while married to her, then asked Elizabeth to be mother to them as if they were her own. There is no record of her showing jealousy or condemning her husband's behavior. She never sought the pity of those around her. And despite the King’s lack of fidelity, Elizabeth remained with him to the end. During the sickness that would ultimately cause his death, Elizabeth never left his side, except for mass.

Imagine the generosity of Elizabeth, who risked punishment by sneaking food out of her castle so that she could feed the poor in the surrounding villages.

Imagine the charity of Elizabeth, who, every Good Friday, would sneak lepers into her castle, where she treated their wounds, gave them new clothes, treated them to a banquet, then filled their pockets with money.

Imagine the love that Elizabeth showed to children who were poor, allowing them to wear her crown. "God made me queen so that i may serve others", she would say.

Imagine the faith of Elizabeth, who attended mass every day and prayed daily for the conversion of her husband.

Imagine the patience of Elizabeth, who twice prevented civil war : once by mediating peace between her own son, Prince Afonso, who rebelled against the favors that the King gave to his illegitimate sons. Imagine the strength of Elizabeth, who rode onto the battlefield between them, and was able to reconcile father and son, and prevent bloodshed... And again when her son marched against his son-in-law, the King of Castile, to punish him for being a negligent and abusive husband. Despite her old age and ill health at that time, Elizabeth hurried onto the battlefield and again managed to make peace in her family, and thus maintain peace in her land.

Courage, fidelity, generosity, charity, love, faith, patience, strength. Whether you were a powerful ruler or the least of the least, Elizabeth would pass these blessings on to you. It’s no wonder that her witness and example finally changed the heart of her husband, who would write a poem in which he wrote these beautiful words about her :

"Seeing as God made you without equal,
In goodness of heart and goodness of speech,
Nor is your equal anywhere to be found,
My love, my lady, i hereby tell you :
Had God desired to ordain it so,
You would have made a great king."

Queen Elizabeth makes a great saint instead, as God has ordained it. May her witness and example inspire us to holiness, and may she intercede for us, our parish, and our families.

Start Time : 9:00 PM.
This is an all day FREE EVENT !

Outdoor Concert and Festival - All Ages - Portuguese Foods and Drinks Available.

The Saint Elizabeth Church has its own free outdoor parking lot, located on its courtyard. Despite this courtyard will be the local of the feast, some parking places will be available. Otherwise, free on-street parking places will be also available on Wood Street.

Jorge Ferreira will perform at 577 Wood Street, just on Saint Elizabeth Church's courtyard.

Organized by :

MARIE COSTA MAURICIO - SAINT ELIZABETH'S HOLY GHOST COMMITTEE
577 Wood Street.
Bristol, RI 02809-2395.
UNITED STATES.
Phone : (001) (508) 324-5536.
Fax : (001) (401) 253-7695.
E-mail : mauricio270@aol.com .
Website : www.saintelizabethchurch.net .
GOOGLE MAP.

DESCRIPTION :

Mrs. Marie Mauricio is a staff member of Saint Elizabeth Church's parish organizers. President of Saint Elizabeth's Holy Ghost Festival, her work consists in planning and organizing all festivities of this annual event.