“Parishes in a unique cultural situation will be encouraged to incorporate the communities’ unique language, music and self-expressions within the liturgy in accord with liturgical norms… (Pastoral Plan, Sacraments and Worship Goal 1, Objective 16).

Historically the Hispanic presence in our country is distinct from that of Western Europeans.  Hispanics have maintained their own vibrant spiritualities through popular religion, devotions, beliefs, celebrations and traditions which constitute them as people.

To a great extent the future of the church in the United States will depend on how we reach out to this Spanish speaking community, how we accept them and welcome them, and how we enrich one another with the respect and sharing of each other’s culture.

Here are some of their most important celebrations:

1- Quinceañera Celebrations:

Quinceañera Celebrations are officially approved in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and parishes are encouraged to take advantage of this tradition to welcome the families, to evangelize them and to make them part of the parish.

2- Presentation to the Temple:

This is a popular Mexican tradition related to the Presentation of Jesus to the Temple.  It is traditionally celebrated within the forty days after the birth of the child, or more often, as a blessing on their third birthday.  In any case it can be a teachable moment for the family, and an opportunity to evangelize.   You may celebrate this ritual during the mass, after the homily, after communion, or outside the mass following the simple ritual included in this web page.

3- Other Celebrations among the Hispanics: 

Hispanics celebrate may other traditions, such as Posadas, Home Blessings, Blessings of animals, the Day of the Dead, Novenas, and many other devotions to Mary and the Saints. In good evangelization we are not to eliminate those traditions, but to transform them at the light of the Gospel, and to take advantage of them to reach out to these families to welcome them and to make them part of the parish community.