Day 6, August 12 (Sunday): Polonia's Spiritual Impact on Anapolis

Brazil turned out to be more than everyone expected.  Our hotel may be compared to Mexico’s and the Caribbean’s.  Its architecture and scenery put everyone in a tropical vacation mood.  On August 12^th we had the opportunity to celebrate Fathers Day in Brazil.

Because this was a Sunday, all the groups from the festival, including ours, went to church dressed up in their traditional dance costumes.  However what really surprised our group was the way in which the mass was held.  Every group had a song or dance prepared to sing. When it was our groups turn to participate in the mass, Ola Podowska sang Barka.  What really touched us was how emotionally the congregation reacted with tears.

Once it came to the offering of the gifts all the groups participated. Especially when it came to the offering of the gifts and the presentation of the Bible, we found the Brazilians traditions to be very different from ours.  For instance when the Bible was brought up to the alter they danced and sang their way with it.  Afterwards lifter in the air everyone would clap.

As everyone looked around the Brazilians were celebrating this Fathers Day Mass we took it to heart to have our two fathers with us on the trip, Mr. Tucci and Mr. Pacyniak recognized.

Later that day we had our most intense concert.  What really moved us was when a group of Brazilians boys and girls cheered us on by singing We Love You Polonia.  Our celebration continued at a club with the rest of the dance groups.  But our excitement never ended, it always continued to the following day.

Patricia Jamrozowicz

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