America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
St. Patrick’s Cathedral was filled to near capacity for the Jan. 18 annual Mass in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican Republic.
The principal celebrant, Bishop Antonio Camilo Gonzalez of the Diocese of Vega in the Dominican Republic, spoke of the great devotion shown toward Our Lady of Altagracia during what is always a festive and faith-filled occasion.
“We appreciate the Dominican residents in this great nation,” Bishop Gonzalez said. During his homily, he gave thanks “for their hard work, solidarity with their family, identification with their culture and the values of their native land, and fidelity to the Lord—and love for the Virgin of Altagracia.”
Bishop Gonzalez noted how Pope Francis has stressed the importance of marriage and family, of a man and a woman establishing and maintaining a stable union, filled with the presence and the love of God.
The bishop also expressed gratitude for Cardinal Dolan’s invitation to celebrate the Altagracia Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
During the afternoon Spanish-language Mass, many in the congregation waved red, white and blue flags of the Dominican Republic as hymns tinged with Latin beats, emphasizing bongos and maracas, were played. At the end of the Mass, all joined the singing of the respective national anthems of the Dominican Republic and of the United States.
Attending was Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez, the vice president of the Dominican Republic, who in later remarks to reporters said she was honored to pay tribute to Our Lady of Altagracia with fellow Dominicans in the New York area and the island-nation.
Juana Jimenez, a Dominican-born parishioner of Sacred Heart parish in the Bronx, said she attended the special Mass because “I am the number one fan of the Virgin Mary.”
She said her faith has been an important part of her life, noting, “I seek the Lord…God comes first; He comes first. We should all put God first.” Ms. Jimenez said people who commit wrongdoings and hurt others should try to change their ways and follow the example of Mary and listen to the messages of her Son, Jesus.
Angel Dionisio, a member of St. Margaret Mary parish in the Bronx, said he knows Bishop Gonzalez personally, having worked with him decades ago when the bishop was a parish priest in their nation. “He is an excellent orator—and he is a friend of the poor,” Dionisio said in an interview after the Mass, as he was eagerly making his way toward the altar to greet his bishop.
In closing remarks, Jose Crisostomo, president of the archdiocesan Committee of Our Lady of Altagracia, said that he was grateful for the support of Cardinal Dolan and others who facilitated planning for the cathedral Mass.
“May our spiritual mother, the Virgin of Altagracia, continue in her intercessions before the Lord for the Dominican community,” Crisostomo said. “Que viva la Republica Dominicana.”
