Members of Our Lady of Angels Catholic organization pose with the OLOA statue at St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven on 9/7/20, which should have been the day of the 90th annual feast and procession down Main Street, but the feast was cancelled due to COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Joe Mello Jr.
The annual Feast of Our Lady of Angels would normally have been held this weekend, with the procession of the large statue along Main Street on Monday. This year, due to COVID-19, the feast was cancelled. OLOA members were not completely deftered, however, and took the statue out for a short stroll on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church.
The neighborhood is usually bustling this time of year, with thousands of people converging on the OLOA feast grounds for the “Biggest Little Feast,” a traditional Portuguese “festa.”
“It’s not just quiet,” wrote Christopher Richard on his Facebook page. “Usually in August excitement builds as the neighborhood prepares for the feast. There is activity at the club. The poles go up, then the lights and flags. The decorations are hung on the church. The food deliveries and beer truck arrive. Then, during the week leading up to the feast, cooking begins. There is so much more to it than the three days when the feast actually takes place.
“August has not been the same at all.”
Members of Our Lady of Angels Catholic organization carry the OLOA statue around the grounds of St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven on 9/7/20, which should have been the day of the 90th annual feast and procession down Main Street, but the feast was cancelled due to COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Joe Mello Jr.
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