A festival of color, culture, and faith filled St. Peter the Apostle Church at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann on Saturday, Oct. 3 as hundreds of Hispanic Catholics gathered for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s 20th annual Hispanic Heritage Mass.
Sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Catholics, the day-long celebration centered on the theme “Citizens of Heaven” and brought together pilgrims whose roots span more than 20 countries. Many wore traditional attire representing their ancestral homelands and carried national flags in a vibrant display of the Church’s diversity.
>>> Photos: Archdiocese Celebrates 20th Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass
The gathering came at a time when many Hispanic Catholics are facing anxiety surrounding the nation’s immigration climate.
“We are called to confront the situation with trust and hope,” Archbishop Pérez said during the Mass, which was celebrated primarily in Spanish.
“We must not let these circumstances define us. Even amidst the despair, which can feel overwhelming, there is a great sense of hope.”
The message resonated deeply among those in attendance. Kathia Arango, director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics, said many families in the community have been personally affected by immigration-related concerns.
“We live here. Our heart is still in Latin America,” Arango said. “But despite that, we are made for God and for heaven.”
Arango explained that while Hispanic Catholics come from different nations and cultures, they share a common experience of faith and often encounter similar challenges.
The celebration reflected that unity. Pilgrims from nations stretching from Argentina and Chile to Mexico and Venezuela filled the church, joining together in prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Archbishop Pérez, the son of Cuban immigrants who fled Fidel Castro’s regime and settled in the United States, spoke about finding strength in faith amid uncertainty. He reminded participants that Christ and the Church accompany them through every trial.
Auxiliary Bishop Christopher R. Cooke, who delivered the homily in Spanish, acknowledged the hardships many immigrants face while encouraging those present to remember their dignity as children of God.
He noted the irony that some Americans whose own ancestors immigrated to the United States now oppose immigration and fail to recognize the gifts immigrants contribute to both the nation and the Church.
“I know that many of us have suffered a great deal because of the immigration situation,” Bishop Cooke said.
Drawing on the day’s theme, he reminded worshippers that their identity is not found in nationality or immigration status, but in their citizenship in heaven through baptism.
The day’s celebration highlighted not only the diversity of Philadelphia’s Hispanic Catholic community but also the ways in which culture enriches the Church’s liturgical life.
Arango said Hispanic Catholics express their faith through traditions that vary widely from country to country while remaining united in the Eucharist.
“It’s not only one community,” she said. “We have many different communities because we are coming from more than 20 different countries.”
Music played an especially important role throughout the celebration. La Coral Hispana de Filadelfia, the archdiocese’s official Spanish-language choir, led worship with musical styles reflecting various Latino traditions.
According to choir director Damaris Thillet, the ensemble serves as a visible reminder of the Church’s universality.
“It shows the face of the Church, the diversity we have in the Catholic Church,” she said.
The Mass served as the centerpiece of a full day of prayer and fellowship. The event began with a retreat at the St. John Neumann Center, followed by a procession, Eucharistic adoration, and opportunities for confession. It concluded with a communal meal that showcased the richness of the many cultures represented.
Throughout the day, organizers emphasized a message of accompaniment and community.
Arango said Hispanic Catholics must remember they are not alone in facing life’s challenges.
“God is using the members of the community to make sure that we are not walking by ourselves,” she said. “We don’t have to be walking in fear by ourselves.”
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