Boar’s Head Festival at St. Anne Shrine in Waterbury

Press release

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Boar’s Head Festival, taking place on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 4PM at the Shrine of St. Anne, Waterbury, part of the All Saints - Todos Los Santos congregation.

Majestic pageantry, medieval costumes, breathtaking music, captivating dance come together to tell this timeless story.

The Boar’s Head ceremony became part of the Christmas celebration in the great manor houses of the Middle Ages, but had its roots in pagan times when the boar was the first dish served at a Roman feast.

According to peaceboardshead.com, “In medieval England the ferocious boar was the sovereign of the forest, a menace of man, and a symbol of evil. The presentation of the boar’s head at Christmas signified triumph of the Christ child over sin. The Festival was first observed in America in colonial New England through churches and schools in the late nineteenth century.

Featured in the Waterbury event, led by Pastor Rev. Diego Jimenez, are representatives from the Knights of Columbus, Horgan Dance Academy, Todos Los Santos choir including members of the Waterbury Chorale, Confirmation students, and more. All parishes from 2017 that have merged will be represented.

The event is coordinated by Music Director Jason Fontaine, and directed by Ciro Franco.

The event is free of charge. There is a free will offering which will offset ongoing operations, maintenance and cultural events of the parish.

For more information, please contact the Todos Los Santos – All Saints Parish office at (203) 756-4439.

All Saints – Todos los Santos is comprised of three worship sites under one parish – The Shrine of Saint Anne, Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Saint Francis Xavier Church. The mission statement is “Guided by the Holy Spirit, the All Saints Parish Family is called to live and Proclaim the Good News. Our Roman Catholic Parish values our multicultural diversity and strives to be a community of the Disciples of Christ.”