Father Eric Cruz, regional director of Catholic Charities of Westchester, Putnam and the Bronx, served as principal celebrant and homilist during this year’s Puerto Rican Cultural Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Spanish Mass was held Sunday, June 1, the week before the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which will be held Sunday, June 8, in Manhattan. The parade route will be along Fifth Avenue, beginning at 43rd Street and proceeding north to 79th Street; the start time is 11 a.m.

“The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with each one of you. We take this moment, brothers and sisters Borinqueños, and our brothers and sisters of the world, we take this moment to give thanks to God and at the same time remember our sins,” said Father Cruz, Bronx-born of Puerto Rican ancestry, during welcoming remarks at the Mass. About 1,400 people attended.

Later in the homily, he spoke of the importance of the Mass and the parade. “Each year, all of you faithful are prepared to celebrate and participate in this Mass, defending and ensuring our Puerto Rican identity, which is extremely important nowadays,” Father Cruz said – his remark met with applause as he uttered the last few words. He also thanked all who helped make the Mass possible, including the lectors, choir, concelebrants, and entrance procession participants.

He spoke of the Lord’s teachings to the apostles regarding the importance of praying to the Father, saying, “So that all become one,” as the Son is in the Father and the Father is in the  Son – “so that we are all one in God and His Son, Jesus Christ…This is not only a unity in humanity, it is a unity in God and Christ.”

This is all significant, he said, “so that we can accomplish the mission – a mission of love that sprouts from the Word, from Sacred Scripture – the Word from our lungs and our hearts; the Word that gives life…Jesus Christ, He has consecrated Himself so that we may be consecrated.” The priest, citing the upcoming Pentecost Sunday, also noted the importance of the Holy Spirit, “the bond of love between the Father and the Son.”

In addressing married couples in the pews, he stressed the importance of Holy Matrimony, “the fruit of the Holy Spirit.” And he noted the significance of always seeking unity in the family, relying on the Holy Family as a model of “the divine unity.” Beware, he said, of those in society who seek “to deceive and divide.” Live based on the loving and truthful teachings of the Lord.

The Mass was organized by the New York archdiocesan Cultural Diversity Apostolate, in conjunction with parade coordinators. The choir was from Holy Family Church in the Bronx, led by director Jorge Camacho. Organizers have noted the cultural and Catholic-based significance of Our Lady of Providence, patroness of Puerto Rico. A figure of Our Lady of Providence was among the items displayed at the steps of the sanctuary during the Mass.