The expressions of faith, resilience, solidarity, religious tradition, and strong family values of the Hispanic community are “a gift to the Church,” said Washington Auxiliary Bishop Robert Boxie III during a Mass for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated in Spanish at St. Joseph Parish in Beltsville, Maryland, on Sept. 20, 2026.
Addressing hundreds of people attending the Mass, Bishop Boxie highlighted the spiritual and cultural richness that Hispanics bring to the life of the Church and to American society, encouraging them to continue placing their talents at the service of others, especially by fostering new vocations to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, and religious life.
During his homily, Bishop Boxie noted that God has been generous to the Hispanic community and has bestowed upon it gifts that contribute to the strengthening of the Church. “You have something unique, beautiful, and sacred to offer. You bring the gifts from your heritage. You bring life, vitality, and energy. You bring a faith filled with devotion and expressiveness,” he said.
The bishop also acknowledged the difficulties currently faced by many Hispanic families because of the immigration situation, particularly the fear of detentions, deportations, and family separation.
In that context, he devoted part of his message to expressing the Church’s closeness to those living through moments of uncertainty and concern, emphasizing that the community should not have to face these circumstances alone.
“The Church is here with you to support you and walk with you. We suffer with you. Any time a part of the body of Christ suffers, the entire body suffers,” Bishop Boxie emphasized, prompting prolonged applause from the faithful.
The bishop encouraged Hispanics to keep hope alive, strengthen community solidarity, and rely on their faith, recalling the words of Psalm 145: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.”
His message concluded with a call to respond generously to God’s invitation and to place the gifts they have received at the service of the Church, their families, and society.
Bishop Boxie was joined by Father Shaun Foggo, the pastor of St. Joseph Parish who concelebrated the Mass, and they were assisted by Deacon Pedro Armando Jiménez. The Mass was sponsored by the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
Faith, Identity and Hope
The celebration brought together families from different countries across Latin America, who found in the Eucharist a place to express their faith, keep their traditions alive, and reaffirm their Hispanic identity.
“This Mass reminds us that our faith has no borders. We come from different countries and speak with different accents, but when we celebrate the Eucharist, we feel like one community,” said Salvadoran native Roberto Orellana.
Orellana noted that amid the concerns caused by immigration raids and deportations, the presence of the Church provides spiritual support for families: “It is important to feel that our Church is standing with us, that we are not alone during these difficult times,” he said.
For Dominican-born Ernesto Valerio, the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in the Church is also an opportunity to pass on the faith and cultural roots of their families to younger generations.
“We come to thank God for the gift of life and for the opportunity to build a different future in the United States. But it is also especially important that our children know where we come from and understand that we have parishes where we can hear the Gospel in Spanish,” Valerio said.
Lucrecia Monterosas, a native of Honduras, emphasized that there is a responsibility to keep that identity alive among younger generations. “We have the responsibility to pass on the faith and also pride in our Hispanic roots,” she said.
Rosmery Torrijo, originally from Bolivia, expressed her gratitude for the recognition that the Archdiocese of Washington gives to the Hispanic community, especially at a time marked by immigration uncertainty. “These days, many Hispanic families are living with concern and uncertainty. It is comforting to have a Church that walks with us, listens to us in our own language, and reminds us that we are not alone,” she said.
Gerardo Magadano of Mexico recalled that his parents came to the United States in search of better opportunities and that, from an early age, they instilled in him values rooted in faith and hard work. “My parents taught me that faith and hard work go hand in hand every day. Today, I want my children to continue those values and to feel that they are part of the United States,” he said.
For Ingrid Romero of Guatemala, Hispanic Heritage Month is also an opportunity to recognize the contributions Hispanics make to the nation. “It should not only be a time to remember the past, but also to acknowledge the contributions that Hispanics continue to make to American society today,” she said.
After the Mass marking National Hispanic Heritage Month, a reception at St. Joseph School featured traditional Latin American food and dancing.
Bishop Boxie’s message and the celebration at St. Joseph Parish reflected a dual dimension of the Hispanic presence in the Archdiocese of Washington: a community that preserves its faith, language, and traditions while at the same time actively participating in the life of the United States and seeking to pass on its values to future generations.
