as with many other countries, flowers and candy are common staple gifts and in brazil, mother's day is second only to christmas in commercialism, but small touches such as special children's performances and church gatherings, which normally lead to large, multi generational barbecues are also common.

always celebrated 50 days after easter and falling in either may or june - pentecost sunday or day of the holy spirit (pentecostes, dia do espírito santo) is the holiday that recognizes the holy spirit's descent from heaven in the form of tongues of fire onto the apostles and other important followers of the early church - because of this, it is often also called the 'birthday of the church'.

the devotion of the holy spirit is part of traditional roman catholic belief and it brings the combination of architecture, iconography and religious practices to one special day.