Purpose and origins
The Santa Missa was given by Mestre Irineu as a work in memory of those who have died, sung especially for those who passed in the previous month. He chose its ten hymns himself: six of his own, two by Germano Guilherme, one by João Pereira, and one by Joaquim Português, a member from Portugal whose own small hinário contributed the closing hymn, Despedida (Farewell).
When it is held
The Santa Missa is sung on the first Monday of every month, after the terço (rosary) for the departed, and additionally on the feast of St. Sebastian (January 20), during Holy Week, on the anniversary of Mestre Irineu's passing (July 6), on All Souls' Day (November 2), and on the occasion of a member's death — commonly seven days after the passing, and again after the first year. It is generally held at 4:00 p.m. in the blue uniform, unless it follows directly after an official hinário work, in which case the white uniform is worn.
The form of the work
The Santa Missa opens with the Sign of the Cross and a terço that closes with a Hail Holy Queen, followed by the ten hymns, each separated by a set of prayers. Participants remain seated around the table — arranged in a group of five, seven, nine, or twelve — without musical instruments or dancing. During the eighth hymn, four people, including the presiding member at the head of the table, stand holding lit candles arranged in the form of a cross; the candles are later gathered and left to burn until they finish.