On Jan. 21, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presided over Mass at St. Stephen Parish in Paterson, N.J., celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia — a major expression of Dominican faith and identity, as she is considered the protective mother of the Dominican people.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
During the Mass, the bishop blessed an image of Our Lady of Altagracia, which was displayed alongside the Dominican flag, candles, and flowers on the altar. To honor their heritage and devotion, many churchgoers wore colorful traditional clothing.
On Jan. 21, 1691, the Spanish army, led by Antonio Miniel, defeated the French army during the Battle of the Sabana Real in the eastern part of the island of Santo Domingo. This historical victory is linked to the belief that the Spanish asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Altagracia, thereby embedding her role as a symbol of hope and protection for Dominicans, a role the community commemorates each year.
