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For more than half a century the National Puerto Rican Day Parade has been a rite of passage in New York City. This annual event with its sights and sounds ushers in the summer season and, much like its people who are filled with pride, the parade is part of the fabric of the Big Apple.
As is also part of this rich tradition, the archdiocese’s Puerto Rican community gathers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral a week beforehand to celebrate the Parade Mass. Held this year on June 7, the Mass, sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, drew 1,100 people and initiated a week filled with cultural happenings and festivities culminating with the June 14 parade along Fifth Avenue.
Father Eric Cruz, administrator of St. John Chrysostom, the Bronx, Bronx regional coordinator for archdiocesan Catholic Charities, and a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican heritage, served as principal celebrant of the Mass. In his homily, he shared stories about growing up in a Puerto Rican household that reflected how proud he is of his roots. He said that as Catholics, we all should remember the origins of our faith.
“The celebration of the Eucharist is a reminder of who we are and where we come from,” Father Cruz said. “Every Sunday millions of people throughout the world share in the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ, and by remembering this celebration and being a part of this celebration we are being called to be part of a special order.”
At the cathedral, CNY spoke with the president of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Inc., Lorraine A. Cortés-Vázquez. A parishioner at Holy Rosary in the Bronx, Ms. Cortés-Vázquez was born and raised in East Harlem where she was a parishioner at St. Paul’s.
“This for me is the highlight,” she said of the liturgy. “It’s the pinnacle of all of the activities, because without this we have nothing.
“This our foundation and our faith, and this Eucharistic ceremony, sort of launch us. I see more and more people attending, rows of Puerto Ricans coming to celebrate, and I am extremely happy,” she said.
Jorge Camacho, the Hispanic Chorus leader at Holy Family parish in the Bronx and a 20-year volunteer at the Mass, said he continues to look forward to the event.
“This is a special Mass not only because I’m Puerto Rican, but also because it’s unique, with music that is typical and traditional of Puerto Rico.
“We come here and thank the Lord for all he’s given us and pay homage to our Virgin De La Providencia. It’s important because religion is part of our culture,” he said.
The theme of this year’s 58th annual parade, with award-winning entertainer Rita Moreno as grand marshal, was “Un Pueblo Muchas Voces” (One Community, Multiple Voices). A special theme also was added: “Celebrating Afro-Boricua Heritage,” to coincide with the United Nations’ designation of the next decade as the International Decade for People of African Descent.
