The annual Hispanic Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was held Sunday, October 1 as part of the national Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen served as principal celebrant.  

“Thank you, everybody, for being here to participate in this celebration for all nations of the Hispanidad (Hispanic Day Mass),” Bishop Whalen said in welcoming remarks for the afternoon Spanish liturgy. “We are celebrating here at St. Patrick’s Cathedral – the cathedral of all people, in the house of the Lord, to celebrate the great gift of faith.”

Bishop Whalen also asked the faithful to pray for Pope Francis, Cardinal Dolan, and the Synod in Rome, which the cardinal is attending.          

Later in the homily, Father Enrique Salvo, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, noted that parables mentioned in Gospel readings are there to convey lessons for us. He said we should be cautious in committing “spiritual sin,” or having “spiritual pride,” reaching a point in our faith journey when we unwisely believe we cannot go against God but end up doing so; he cited the day’s Gospel reading, Matthew 21: 28-32, the Parable of the Two Sons (similar to the Prodigal Son story).

“At any minute, we can fall,” Father Salvo said.         

“We must not fall into spiritual pride; we should have humility, and we should depend on the grace of God to truly continue doing what is good, what is His will…We should be repentant; we should make the effort; and the Lord Himself wants to help us, to transform us,” he said.

The rector spoke of that day, October 1, being the feast day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the 19th century French Discalced Carmelite nun who is a Doctor of the Church and whose writings focused on the importance of humility and obedience to the Father. “And so on this day, we ask St. Therese of the Child Jesus to help all of us do the Holy Will of God and to trust in the help that our God, who loves us so much, wants to give each of us,” Father Salvo said.  

“Thank you all for your participation here commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month,” Arlett Rojas, a lead organizer of the Mass, said in expressing words of gratitude to Bishop Whalen and all who helped make the Mass possible.

She invited all to attend the Hispanic Day Parade next Sunday, October 8, adding “Have a happy afternoon, and Viva the Hispanidad!” She was greeted with loud applause.

New York City’s Hispanic Day Parade (Desfile de la Hispanidad) will begin at 12 noon October 8 on Fifth Avenue, starting at 44th Street and ending at 77th Street; organizers said 21 Latin American countries will unite to showcase their music and culture.    

Hispanic Heritage Month started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson signed the law making the week of Sept. 15 a time to honor the contributions and influence of Latino communities. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill proclaiming an entire month to celebrate Hispanic heritage. 

The reason Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 is that September 15 is significant to several Latin American countries. It is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. 

Moreover, September 16 is Mexico’s Independence Day. It marks the day in 1810 when a Catholic priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Mexico, made the first cry for independence. His moving speech lit a spark that inspired a movement.