Cardinal Adalberto Martinez Flores of the Archdiocese of Asuncion, Paraguay, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the second annual Mass in honor of Our Lady of Caacupe, a Marian devotional tradition in the South American nation. The Spanish-language liturgy was held on the afternoon of Sunday, December 10, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  

“Buenas tardes – qué alegría” (Good afternoon – what a joy),” Cardinal Martinez said to the more than 1,200 faithful during opening remarks at the start of Mass, citing the choir music of faith, the colorful entrance procession, and the reason for the Mass: honoring Our Lady of Caacupe. “May the grace of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you.”

Later in his homily, the cardinal spoke solemnly of ongoing social and political ills in his native Paraguay, including poverty, corruption, organized crime, and human trafficking. He stressed the significance of trusting in the Lord, praying for the intercession of Our Lady of Caacupe, and maintaining a faith-centered family life.               

“On this second Sunday of Advent, the liturgy speaks to us about consolation – the prophet Isaiah announces the consolation of God,” he said. Cardinal Martinez added that he, as a clergy member, is there for them, the faithful, to provide the spiritual embrace, fraternity, and tenderness of the Church, including those provisions of faith in the Paraguayan tradition.      

Cardinal Martinez added the faithful can be assured that “nos sostienen nuestros oraciones (our prayers sustain us)…We share the burdens; we share the joys and also the afflictions.” He noted to the congregation the importance of coping with life’s personal and community challenges by maintaining their faith, remembering the importance of the Holy Eucharist, and knowing that they “are accompanied” by Our Lady of Caacupe. And in expressing words of gratitude to the Archdiocese of New York, he noted the historical significance “of this temple,” St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He ended the homily by leading the faithful in praying the Hail Mary.

Carlos Alberto Ortiz, consul general of Paraguay in New York, gave closing words of gratitude at the end of the Mass, exclaiming, “Viva Our Lady of Caacupe!” And the people applauded and responded, “Viva!” The Mass processions included a figure of Our Lady of Caacupe, Paraguayan flags, and men, women, and children clad in traditional Paraguayan dress.

Eusebio and Mary Sanchez, parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville, New Jersey, were among the faithful in the pews. Both born and raised in Paraguay, they said they were thankful to the Archdiocese of New York for the Our Lady of Caacupe Mass and grateful to Cardinal Martinez for traveling from their native land to celebrate the special liturgy at the cathedral. 

“We venerate the Virgin of Caacupe; she is our Mother,” Mrs. Sanchez told The Good Newsroom before the Mass. “This is our tradition, and we always celebrate the day, December 8. In Paraguay, we used to walk to the town of Caacupe, where the [Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles] is located, the Holy Virgin – the Mother of Paraguay.”  

The Mass concelebrants included Father Enrique Salvo, rector of the cathedral, and Father Brian McWeeney, archdiocesan director of Ethnic Apostolate. The choir was Mater Dei Ministerio de Música e Invitado. The Mass was organized by the archdiocesan Our Lady of Caacupe Committee and the Office of Hispanic Ministry. Last year marked the first annual Caacupe Mass at the cathedral.          

Our Lady of Caacupe:

Virgin of Caacupé Day takes place every December 8 and is a revered Paraguayan tradition since early in the 17th century. Every year on that day, thousands of pilgrims descend on the small town of Caacupe in central Paraguay to commemorate the anniversary of a Marian apparition. It was in the year 1600 when a sculptor named José from the Guaraní tribe escaped a near death by avoiding a group of men from a rival tribe, through Marian intervention, in a settlement that later became the town of Caacupe.  

 As he said he would, Jose carved two beautiful statues of the Virgin Mary as an expression of thankfulness. Today, this apparition of the Virgin Mary has her place of worship, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles in Caacupé. The city is one of Paraguay’s most prominent spiritual centers.