Posted January 25, 2017

Hispanic Catholics gathered to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, Jan. 21 at St. Martin of Tours Church in Northeast Philadelphia for the feast of the Nuestra Senora de Altagracia, a popular Marian devotion of Catholics from the Dominican Republic.

Father Rafael Vargas celebrated the noon Mass, which featured music by the group Divina Uncion. The Mass capped a three-day prayerful celebration of the feast at St. Martin and a week-long observance at Visitation B.V.M. Parish in Kensington, Philadelphia, which ended Jan. 22.

The feast of the Virgin of Altagracia derives from a popular image of Mary painted in the 16th century and kept in the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Dominican Republic. Under that title Mary continues to be revered by people of Dominican heritage in the United States, especially those residing in the Philadelphia region. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Neolia Valdez proudly waves her flag.

  • Flowers are placed before the image of Virgen de la Altagracia.

  • Fr. Rafael Vargas blesses the image of Virgin de la Altagracia.

  • Noelia Valdez enjoys waving her flag during the entrance procession for Mass.

  • Deacon Manuel A. Beltran

  • Fr. Rafael Vargas preaches during Mass.

  • Devilernni Castillos pulls a dollar from her purse to contribue to the collection.

  • Fr. Rafael Vargas celebrates Mass honoring Virgen de la Altagracia at Saint Martin of Tours Church in the Oxford Circle section of Philadelphia.

  • Deacon Andres A. Carrillo (Holy Innocents), Fr. Rafael Vargas, Deacon Manuel Beltran, Deacon Jose Hernandez

  • Plinio Gutierrez

  • Juana Maria Comacho prays during Mass.

  • Divina Uncion provides music for the Mass.