The first annual Mass honoring Mary under the title Our Lady of Mercy (Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was celebrated on Sunday, September 22. Bishop Santiago Rodriguez of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic served as the principal celebrant and homilist.      

Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen, archdiocesan vicar for clergy, was among the 10 concelebrants, including Father Ambiorix Rodriguez, the Dominican-born pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, a community with many residents born in or of ancestry from the Dominican Republic. The afternoon Mass was celebrated in Spanish. The previous day, Bishop Rodriguez gave two talks and celebrated Mass at the IX Congreso de Emaus at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx.             

“Dear brothers and sisters, what a joy it is to share with all of you our celebration in honor of our patroness, the Virgin of Mercy,” Bishop Rodriguez said during welcoming remarks at the Our Lady of Mercy Mass inside the packed cathedral. “The Dominican people (are) a people that celebrates and prays to Our Mother so that she, as patroness of the people, continues to break the chains of sin (for the faithful) to live in grace.”       

Later in the homily, Bishop Rodriguez shared cordial greetings from the people of the Dominican Republic, where the faithful “give thanks to God and pray for the intercession of the Virgin of Mercy – the Mother of our Savior.”

The bishop spoke of Mary’s significant roles in Holy Scripture, such as in the Nativity, the  Wedding at Cana, and before these, “being of service to her cousin Elizabeth.” He continued, “The Book of Wisdom invites us to be servants. Mary is a special model for us as a servant – a servant of the Lord. This is what she teaches us, this is what she asks of us…As she did at the Wedding at Cana in Galilee with the servants: ‘Do not do what you think or want; do what He (Jesus Christ) asks of you.’” 

Bishop Rodriguez added, “He is her Son, the teacher, the Lord, the Savior. That is why today I invite each and every one of you to listen to what the Lord asks of us, and to be His sincere, humble servants…to do the will of God.” Citing the day’s readings, the bishop noted the importance of always working toward peace, especially “in the reality that we are living in today’s world.” 

He concluded, “Que viva our Mother, the Virgin of Mercy! May the Lord bless us all.” The faithful applauded and cheered. 

Father Ambiorix Rodriguez, in his closing remarks, expressed his joy and gratitude for the first annual Our Lady of Mercy Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, noting he and many others look forward to continuing the celebration in the years to come. “May God and the Virgin Mary multiply your dedication and love,” the pastor told the faithful, who responded with loud applause. 

A figure of Our Lady of Mercy was featured in the entrance procession and was on display at the steps of the sanctuary during Mass. Three deacons assisted in the liturgy. Hymns were performed by the Coro Hispano de la Parroquia de San Antonio de Padua in the Bronx.