At St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Riverdale, Maryland, on Sept. 20, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar joined hundreds of faithful from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington in a procession that circled the parish grounds before a Mass where he served as principal celebrant to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Leading the procession were performers of La Danza de los Tecuanes, the Dance of the Jaguars, a folk tradition from southern Mexico that combines theater, movement and storytelling.
“Our Church, our faith, is a mosaic of Hispanic cultures represented here, but also of Latin American cultures, since we must include Brazil and other peoples who do not necessarily speak Spanish,” Bishop Menjivar said.
The bishop named shared devotions and daily virtues as threads within that mosaic. “To the Church we have also brought our love for family, our solidarity with our neighbor and those in need, and our love for work."
Bishop Menjivar also spoke of the journeys many in the pews have made.
“As immigrants we face many challenges, but we believe that God walks with his pilgrim people,” he said.
“Yes, we are migrants, but we are above all a pilgrim Church of hope that does not lose faith, that does not cease to pray or to practice charity and closeness to others.”
“In this celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we gather in this youthful and multicultural parish to give thanks to God for the rich diversity of our Church and to rekindle the hope that sustains us,” Bishop Menjivar said.
“This diversity of peoples, cultures and languages united in one faith is what makes us truly Catholic, that is, a Church that is truly universal, one that knows no borders.”
After the final blessing, the celebration moved to the parish grounds for fellowship and cultural performances. Long tables filled with dishes from many countries became an atlas of hospitality, while families gathered near altars dedicated to various nations and Marian devotions.
The displays featured national and cultural symbols, flags and images of Our Lady, highlighting the heritage of the communities represented.
In his homily, bishop Menjívar described the gathering as a living mosaic, a Church united in faith through many voices. Linking that unity to the work of hope, he reminded the faithful of the simple goals shared by many families.
“At the end of the day, we all want the same things: to live in peace, to see our children grow up safely, to have bread on the table, to share life with joy,” he said. “Our neighbor is not our enemy.”
Catholic Standard photos by Nicole Olea
