Hundreds of Romeiros are expected to make their annual pilgrimage of faith in the upcoming weeks, walking across cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island and filling the streets with their Portuguese prayers and religious songs.
Wrapped in cloaks and wearing colorful scarves on their heads or shoulders, with a rosary and walking staff in hand, they will walk and pray in most cases from dawn till dusk.
Helder Sousa: Fall River photographer finds purpose in capturing Portuguese culture
The Romeiros continue to keep alive an Azorean tradition that originated in the 16th century on the island of São Miguel, where islanders would march for a week during Lent to appeal to God to stop volcanic activity.
The tradition was brought by Azorean immigrants to Fall River in the 1980s, but here the pilgrimage was shortened to one day. It subsequently expanded to New Bedford, Taunton, Bristol and Pawtucket.
‘I want to live’: Fall River woman seeks donor after near-death experience
A weeklong New England Romaria, covering more than a dozen cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts, was introduced in 2012.
When are the one-day Romarias taking place?
- Taunton, Mass., Saturday, March 21
Romeiros will depart from Saint Anthony’s Parish Hall to the church at 6:30 a.m. After attending Mass, they will embark on a 15-mile journey of faith, making stops at Holy Family Church (East Taunton), Saint Andrew Church, Saint Jude the Apostle Church and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, before returning to St. Anthony’s Church.
- New Bedford, Mass., Saturday, March 28
The Romeiros will gather at the Immaculate Conception Church on Earle Street at 7 a.m. and attend Mass before taking to the streets. They will crisscross the city to pray at several churches. They will visit St. Mary’s Church, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Saint Lawrence Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Our Lady’s Chapel Church, Saint Anthony’s of Padua Church, before concluding the pilgrimage by returning to Immaculate Conception Church for a celebration of Holy Mass at 7 p.m.
- Bristol, R.I., Sunday, March 29
The Romeiros will gather at 6 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth’s Church to make their half-day pilgrimage. Along the way, they are expected to stop at Saint Mary’s Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and the Columban Fathers. They will return to Saint Elizabeth’s Church and attend 12 p.m. Mass.
- Pawtucket, R.I., Sunday, March 29
The Romeiros will gather at Saint Anthony’s Church and depart at 6 a.m. They will stop at Saint John’s Church, Saint Mary’s Church and Saint Mary’s Cemetery before returning to Saint Anthony’s Church to attend Mass at noon.
- Fall River, Mass., Friday, April 3
The Romaria season will culminate on Good Friday, when Romeiros from all over the region are expected to march in Fall River from church to church.
The group will gather at Espírito Santo Church around 6 a.m. for a blessing before traversing the city. They will stop at St. Anthony of Padua, Holy Name, St. Michael’s, St. Joseph’s, Santo Christo, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s, Good Shepherd and Holy Trinity before returning to Espírito Santo to attend Holy Mass and a special Good Friday service starting at 7 p.m.
Weeklong Romaria
A smaller group of Romeiros will embark Saturday, March 21 on a weeklong journey of faith throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, covering about 130 miles on foot to visit around 50 churches in more than a dozen cities and towns.
