Description
The collection contains materials reflective of Portuguese cultural and Catholic traditions like the Sociedad da Irmandade
do Divino Espírito Santo (I.D.E.S.) (Society of the Divine Holy Spirit), and the Festas do Espírito Santo (Festivals of the
Holy Spirit). Included in the collection are Matteri's historical research notes; copies of local newspaper articles from
The Westside published in Newman, California; and original photographs. The collection also includes Matteri's personal worship
items from when she was a child; and textile garments made by Matteri's mother, including the cape she wore as the Queen of
the Holy Ghost Festival (c. 1920s) and her First Holy Communion outfit.
Background
Nydea Gloria (Azevedo) Matteri (b. 1915 d. 2006), was born in Madera, California, the daughter of parents who emigrated from
Saint Jorge Island, Azores, Portugal in 1911. Materri's family attended Saint Joachim Catholic Church in Newman, California,
one of several churches in the San Joaquin Valley that historically served a predominately Portuguese Catholic population.
These parishes observed Azorean Catholic traditions including the Holy Ghost Festa (Holy Ghost Festival) in which Materri
was crowned its Queen in 1929. As a longtime parishioner, Materri worked and volunteered at Saint Joachim Church and it was
during that time she began documenting and preserving its history.