The traditional Feast of the Holy Spirit is attributed to Queen Isabel of Portugal (1271 - 1336) and was brought to Brazil by the colonizers. In Paraty has been celebrated since the eighteenth century. The Feast of the Holy Spirit is done the day of Pentecost and is a tribute to the Third Person of the Trinity kicking off 10 days of great religious devotion and profane joy. Although the Feast of the Holy Spirit in Paraty has been transformed, has retained its religious characteristics of thanks and promises but also the pagan aspect of recreation and entertainment.

The feast of the Holy Spirit in Paraty is the most traditional of the country, despite the transforming action of the tempo and the integration of the city and its inhabitants with the culture of the great centers of Brazil.

The Feast of the Holy Spirit is one of the most important of the Catholic Church and the city of Paraty. This holiday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' disciples at Pentecost, 50 days after Easter.

The festival is an authentic relic of the ancient cultural history of Brazil. Few have their authenticity and beauty. The festival involves virtually the entire community: the organization of the party begins a year before implementation, coordinated by a "festeiro" chosen by the parish to conduct dozens of volunteers.

Festival of the Holy Spirit in Paraty

Catholics carrying red flags with the symbol of the Holy Spirit (a dove) go through all neighborhoods of the city in procession from the houses to the Main Church, where they are held for nine days, the litanies. The processions leave the streets every day for the celebration.

Since the colonial times, the Feast of the Holy Spirit in Paraty has become an event of unique beauty. The festival includes the presentation of pages, bands, litanies of novena, sung masses, clothes auctioning, dances, distribution of sweets to children, the coronation of the emperor and a great lunch on the eve of Pentecost, for all participants of the feast.