On Dec. 7, almost 100 faithful of the Paterson Diocese prayed the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary in English and Spanish for the immigrant community facing difficult times during the diocese’s annual “Noche de las Velitas” (“Night of the Candles”), held on the grounds of Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, N.J. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney participated in the event, a Latin-American tradition that honors the Immaculate Conception.
Adults and families with children from parishes of the diocese joined the bishop and the Benedictine monks who run Holy Face for an outdoor evening candlelight procession on monastery grounds. The faithful prayed the rosary and sang traditional songs to the Blessed Virgin Mary while a few participants recited reflections. The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry organized the event.
Maria Moncaleano, director of Hispanic Ministry, said, “On this second Sunday of Advent, we heard in the Gospel how John the Baptist cries out in the desert against unfairness and injustice. It may seem unusual, but part of preparing for the birth of Jesus means pointing out what is wrong and unfair in the places where we live. That is how we can begin to create the communities of kindness, love and justice that Jesus desires.”
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Moncaleano continued, “In these days of Advent, let us especially reach out to migrants and refugees who also are greeted with responses of ‘there is no room’ as Joseph and Mary encountered. May we demonstrate the love that we have for Jesus to create a better world where all people feel welcome.”
The Night of the Candles dates back to Dec. 7, 1854, when Pope Pius IX published his apostolic constitution “Ineffabilis Deus,” which defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. People in Colombia lit candles and paper lanterns in celebration of the announcement. It is an annual tradition that Colombians and other Latin-American countries have observed ever since.
Moncaleano thanked the Benedictine monks for their hospitality and the many volunteers who helped her decorate the pathway for the procession. She especially thanked Father Yohan Serrano, chaplain for Hispanic Ministry, for his presence and support.
