Auxiliary Bishop Luis Miguel Romero Fernandez of the Diocese of Rockville Centre served as principal celebrant and homilist during the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.    

The Spanish Mass was held Sunday, June 4, ahead of the 66th National Puerto Rican Day Parade scheduled for Sunday, June 11.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to the Puerto Rican community,” said Bishop Romero, who was born in Spain and entered the priesthood there. “It is a moment of special joy. Viva the Boricua Culture. Juepa!” he said, using an exclamation of delight. The bishop added that he has not had the good luck of visiting Puerto Rico, but remains hopeful that he will one day.                 

He noted that Puerto Rico is the root of Latin American migration to the United States, especially in New York, adding, “Pope Francis insists on conserving roots because roots have many elements that are cultural, historic, and folkloric – and musical, but they have a center of faith. Thank you for the faith that you have.”

During the homily, Bishop Romero spoke of St. John Paul II’s papal visit to Puerto Rico in 1984, noting that the then-pope told the residents of the Caribbean island to always be thankful “for the heritage of faith in Christ…and grateful to Our Lady of Divine Providence, that she may be, for all the generations of this land, the door to salvation.”  

He noted that St. John Paul II, during the visit, also spoke of the importance of love and peace, Christian values, cultural traditions, following the example of the Holy Family, and preserving life from conception, as well as holy matrimony and guiding youths with the faith.

“Our Mother is always there to help us,” Bishop Romero said, citing the significance of the Blessed Virgin’s apparitions and intercessions over the centuries. 

Bishop Romero said that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should strive “to humbly be in our own little way: the way, the truth, and the life – united with Him.” And in speaking of the joys of Christian-based love, he reminded the faithful of the common Puerto Rican term, “Juepa!”  

The closing words of gratitude came from Father Eric Cruz, Bronx regional director of Catholic Charities, who was among the concelebrants and is of Puerto Rican ancestry. Father Cruz thanked all who helped make the Mass possible, including Bishop Romero and the choir from Holy Family Parish in the Bronx. 

The Puerto Rican Day parade goes up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan from 44th St. to 79th St.,11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.