At this year’s Mass in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia, Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat noted, “Christ was crucified on the cross; he was innocent – and Mary was there…Christ humbles Himself. Mary is the perfect model of this.”

Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia (Our Lady of High Grace) is a devotional tradition in the Dominican Republic from which the bishop’s ancestry stems. About 2,000 people attended the Spanish Mass on Sunday, January 12. Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen, vicar for clergy, was among the concelebrants. 

“Bienvenido todos (Welcome, all of you) today, to celebrate not only the Baptism of the Lord but also for us to give honor and glory to our Holy Mother, Mary, under the vocation of Our Lady of Altagracia. ¡Que viva la Virgen de la Altagracia!” Bishop Espaillat said during welcoming remarks at the start of Mass. “¡Que viva!” the people joyfully responded.       

Baptized for the mission

Later in the homily, the bishop spoke of the importance of the Altagracia devotional to Catholics in the Dominican Republic and to the U.S. faithful of Dominican descent. Citing the day’s readings, he noted, “Today we have the theophany – the manifestation, the revelation of God with us; because it is the manifestation of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – three people, only one God…Christ was baptized for the mission of going out to evangelize and to demonstrate to the world the love that the Father has for each one of us.”    

The bishop noted the importance of Catholics continuing to learn more about the faith and embracing all it has to offer, such as the Sacraments, and the importance of ministering to youth young adults, the elderly, the poor, and recent immigrants. He stressed the significance of followers of Christ living their lives “with humility, consoling others, and bring hope… Christ was crucified on the cross; he was innocent – and Mary was there…Christ humbles Himself. Mary is the perfect model of this.” The bishop cited Pope Francis’ declaration of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, in which the pontiff urged pilgrims to embrace hope as a divine strength that enables new beginnings – such as seeking to visit the sick and imprisoned.

Bishop Espaillat also spoke fondly of his first pastoral visit as auxiliary bishop to the Dominican Republic, his family’s homeland. The late-December trip, which extended into the New Year, included his celebration of Masses at prominent sanctuaries, as well as blessing 50 bulls — a first-time, sacred task he rendered with great caution. “But it was very beautiful, that experience,” he noted smiling, greeted with laughter.  

A portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia was displayed on the steps of the sanctuary during Sunday’s Mass.  

Daniel Fernandez, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Manhattan, told The Good Newsroom before Mass, “As a Dominican, I’m here to celebrate Our Lady of Altagracia – our protector. She is always with us.”

Fernandez, who was with his young adult daughter, Erica, said he was grateful that Bishop Espaillat was taking the time to celebrate the special Mass, citing the Bishop’s Dominican ancestry.

Father Ambiorix Rodriguez, also of Dominican descent and pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, gave opening words of welcome and closing remarks of gratitude.

Our Lady of Altagracia

Our Lady of Altagracia is a portrait of the Virgin Mary in a Nativity scene painted circa 1500. It is kept in the Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey, Dominican Republic. Her feast day is January 21.          

The original portrait was crowned twice: first on August 15, 1922, during the pontificate of Pius XI, and then by Pope John Paul II (now Saint Pope John Paul II), who personally crowned the portrait with a golden silver tiara during his visit to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on January 25, 1979.