During the annual Hispanic Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auxiliary Bishop Luis M. Romero Fernandez, M.Id., of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, spoke to the faithful about the universality of the Catholic Church and about Pope John Paul II asserting that Hispanic Catholics are “the hope of the Church.”

Bishop Romero served as the principal celebrant and homilist of the Sunday, October 6, afternoon Mass, celebrated in Spanish, and held in commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15). About 1,000 people attended the Mass,  organized by the Office of Hispanic Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York.

“It is an immense joy for me to be here to celebrate this Hispanic Day Mass,” Bishop Romero, born and raised in Spain, said in welcoming remarks at the start of Mass. “May the Virgin of Guadalupe accompany us, along with all the rest of her vocations (Marian titles) from each of the Hispanic places of the Americas.”

Later in the homily, he spoke of the multiracial, multicultural nature of many Latin American countries and cited the extensive commonality of the Spanish language and the Catholic faith, including the strong devotion to Mary. He noted how immigrants from Latin America come to the U.S. and continue to practice their faith and the customs of their cultures – journeys made because of social, political, and economic uncertainties in their homelands.

“The Catholic faith is so essential in the (identity) of the Hispanic people,” Bishop Romero said, noting the importance of maintaining both the faith and the culture prevalent in families and communities despite making the U.S. their new home. And the bishop talked about the spiritual significance of the Camino de Santiago in Spain – a pilgrimage that attracts many of the faithful from the Americas and throughout the world.

“The Catholic faith is a universal faith, of all the races,” Bishop Romero said, noting Pope John Paul II’s words decades ago about Hispanic Catholics playing a key role in the future of the Church, being “the hope of the Church.” In addition, the bishop mentioned the historical significance of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina being elected pope in 2013, taking the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. He cited guiding words of Pope Francis, from long before he became pope, sentiments that stressed the moral and social importance of “justice and solidarity.”

Bishop Romero entered the Idente Missionaries (M.Id.) in 1972. He was ordained to the priesthood in Tenerife, Spain, for the Idente Missionaries Order in 1981.

“It is important for us as Catholics to be present for this Mass, for unity in Hispanidad,” Juana Aquino, a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima in East Elmhurst, Queens, told The Good Newsroom after Mass. She said she appreciates that the cathedral hosts the special Mass each year. Aquino, 58, a native of Paraguay, was in the entrance procession.

Pedro Lopez, 55, who regularly attends the cathedral’s Spanish Mass, said the Hispanic Day Mass “is important because it helps to strengthen our Catholic faith. … The faith nourishes our spirit; it maintains us spiritually alive.” Lopez was born and raised in Mexico.

On Sunday, October 13, New York City’s Hispanic Day Parade (Desfile de la Hispanidad) will begin at noon on Fifth Avenue, starting from 44th Street and ending at 77th Street. Organizers said 21 Latin American countries will unite to showcase their music and culture.