The 110th edition of the Santíssimo Sacramento Festival, considered the largest Portuguese festival in the world, begins today in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Organized by Madeirans and their descendants, the four-day celebration has religious origins and is promoted by the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento. This year, the festival president is Timothy Rodrigues, the club's leader.
The official opening includes a religious blessing at the Immaculate Conception Church, followed by a flag-raising ceremony at Madeira Field. Dignitaries attending include New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Portugal's Consul Tiago Sousa, and the President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, Rubina Leal, representing the Regional Government.
