Diocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass a powerful experience of faith, family, culture, and joy

On the evening of Sept. 15, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, a kneeling congregation that filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, was led in reverent prayer of the Rosary by Contracorriente, the youth group from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Brunswick, to prepare for the Diocesan Hispanic Mass.

Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant for the Mass which began with the traditional procession of parish banners carried by parish representatives. Father Jonathan Toborowsky, vicar general, and Father Timothy Christy, Cathedral rector, were among the many concelebrants.

Father Joseph Illes, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, offered the homily, recalling his own origins as a descendant of immigrants from Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, saying, “I cannot speak of my own Hispanic heritage, but we can reflect on our commonalities, and our participation in the American culture and in our Church. Our celebration of Hispanic Heritage today, underscores the importance of the Hispanic community and culture in our nation and in our Diocese. It celebrates the common heritage of those with Latin American roots and, in doing so, importantly highlights Latin American culture, which is, by and large, a Catholic culture.”

Father Illes spoke about his experience in Somerville, saying, “I have observed many of the virtues of this culture. It values family in its broadest meaning, as many are known as uncles or cousins, more through familiarity than actual blood connection. It values tradition, maintaining a living connection with ancestors through inherited practices, dances, recipes and prayers. It encompasses an active life of faith and devotion, especially to the Blessed Mother whom we honor today with frequent prayer, and long hours of freely given service”.

Father Illes also highlighted the “multicultural tapestry of New Jersey, where various cultures, including Irish, Polish, German, and Hispanic, have enriched American society while sharing a common Catholic Christian root.”

He stressed that: “our country needs the moral voice of faith, Christ was a transformer of culture, as Christians we have a mission that unites us in our Diocese and in our Nation, that of rescuing our Catholic culture”, especially in a culture that increasingly distances itself from religious values.

The Mass continued with reverence and hymns, accompanied by the charismatic choir during the offertory and throughout the order of the Mass, followed by the procession of Marian Advocations, presented by members representing the 21 Latin-American countries within the Hispanic community.

Deacon Edgar Chaves, director, Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, expressed gratitude to Bishop Checchio for presiding over the Hispanic Heritage Mass, for his dedication to celebrating it in Spanish, and for his unwavering support of the Hispanic community, its initiatives and projects. “We consider ourselves blessed to have him as our Bishop.” he said. He also thanked Father Toborowsky, and Father Christy, for their presence at the Mass and for being attentive to what is happening with the Hispanic community.

Deacon Chaves encouraged young Hispanics with a vocational calling to consider serving in the Church, either as priests or religious, while urging parents and families to support such calls.

Before imparting the final blessing, Bishop Checchio shared his appreciation for celebrating the Hispanic Mass on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Quoting Pope Francis, he recalled “the great love that Jesus has for us in His journey to the cross, and how we all gather at the foot of the cross, much like our mother Mary did.” He added, “My love, my prayers, and my gratitude are extended to the entire Hispanic community for their invaluable contributions to our communities and parishes within our diocese, as well as for their profound love and devotion to Mary.”

Following the Mass, the faithful shared refreshments, music and dancing, as well as an opportunity to gather information about the upcoming courses, events, and conferences organized by the diocesan Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry Office.