About IMDES
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27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Misa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Misa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Misa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Misa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
25th IMDES Oakdale Festa
25th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Mestre Sal & Trinchante
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa Folioes
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
27th IMDES Oakdale Festa
History of the IMDES
The founder’s vision for the Irmandade Mariense do Divino Espírito Santo (IMDES) was born from a deep desire to honor the rich cultural traditions of the Azorean island of Santa Maria, particularly through the celebration of the Holy Ghost Festival. This vision was driven by the resilience and strength of the immigrant community, who, despite being far from their homeland, sought to preserve their heritage and pass it on to future generations. The founders understood the power of community and the importance of uniting individuals with shared roots, values, and traditions. By creating an organization that could uphold these customs, they not only ensured that their cultural practices would continue but also gave the next generations a way to stay connected to their past. The establishment of IMDES represented the fulfillment of this dream, a collective effort by immigrants to build something lasting, a testament to their love for their heritage, and a reminder of the power of immigrant communities to shape and sustain their cultural identity in a new land.
A Mariense refers to a person from the Azorean island of Santa Maria, or to their descendants. The Marienses are known for their strong cultural identity, particularly through the celebration of the Holy Ghost Festival (Festa do Espírito Santo, also known traditionally as an Imperio), a central tradition within the community. The Imperio traditions include the roles of Impreadores, Folioes, Briadores, Trinchante, and Mestre de Sala. Another distinctive aspect of the Mariense festa is the serving of Caldo de Meia Noite (midnight broth), a traditional dish that contributes to the unique character of the celebration.
The majority of Marienses who immigrated to the United States initially settled in the East Coast states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. However, a significant number of Marienses also reside in California. Early settlements can be traced to areas such as Lompoc, Riverside, Sunnyvale, Fort Bragg, San Leandro, and Redlands/Mentone, among others. These early immigrants organized their own Imperios in their backyards or on their farms, often attracting sizable crowds. These informal gatherings, which began in the early 1900s, continue in some communities to this day.
Mariense Imperios were not held in California’s Central Valley until the mid-1990s, when a group of local Marienses came together to establish an Imperio in the traditional style of their ancestors. Manuel Chaves (Ventura) of San Leandro, Daniel Fernandes of Atwater, and Joe Sousa of Oakdale organized the first Imperio in 1995 at the Casa Dos Açores in Hilmar, California. The following year, the Imperio moved to the Community Hall in Hilmar. The Hilmar Imperio followed an informal traditional format.
After extensive collaborative efforts, the Founder’s dream came true, and they created the Irmandade Mariense do Divino Espírito Santo (IMDES). The organization’s statutes were approved by the State of California on May 26, 1997, under the provisions of a 501(c)(3) Non-profit entity. IMDES held its inaugural festa at the Oakdale IDES Hall on June 21-22, 1997. Since then, IMDES has proudly celebrated annually, honoring the traditions of the island of Santa Maria.
IMDES Becomes A 501(c)(3)
After extensive collaborative efforts, the Founder’s dream came true, and they created the Irmandade Mariense do Divino Espírito Santo (IMDES).
The organization’s statutes were approved by the State of California on May 26, 1997, under the provisions of a 501(c)(3) Non-profit entity. IMDES held its inaugural festa at the Oakdale IDES Hall on June 21-22, 1997. Since then, IMDES has proudly celebrated annually, honoring the traditions of the island of Santa Maria.