Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin delivered a homily celebrating Hispanic culture and faith during the Archdiocese of Newark’s annual Hispanic Heritage Mass in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on September 8, 2023. Nearly 1,000 Spanish-speaking Catholics will celebrate their culture and faith during the Archdiocese of Newark’s annual Hispanic Heritage Mass on Friday, September 20, at 8 p.m. in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over the Mass, which is one of the Cathedral Basilica’s most popular liturgies every year. Joining him will be the Archdiocese’s four auxiliary bishops as well as faithful from some of the 86 archdiocesan parishes with Hispanic ministries. Many parishioners will come wearing vibrant cultural attire, a dress code that is optional but encouraged. A chorus from West New York’s St. Joseph of the Palisades Parish — one of the Archdiocese’s largest Hispanic congregations — also will accompany the Cathedral Choir in performing liturgical songs in Spanish.

In addition to these elements, the Hispanic Heritage Mass will continue a longstanding tradition by once again hosting a procession exemplifying how faith and culture are intertwined in the Hispanic community. This procession will involve participants marching with flags of Spanish-speaking countries in a display of global solidarity. Accompanying processors will carry banners representing each nation’s advocation of the Virgin Mary, paying tribute to her crucial role in Hispanic worship.

“This Mass commemorates the Hispanic community’s devotion to the Catholic faith, which is an inseparable part of our identity,” said Deacon Asterio Velasco, director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Hispanic Ministry. “We invite all Spanish speakers to attend so they can take pride in their culture, enjoy the festivities, and embrace the Eucharist. Our goal is to fill them with so much joy that by the time they leave our beautiful mother church, they will be eager witnesses of the Lord in their everyday lives.”

According to Hispanic Ministry statistics, Hispanics make up about 40% of Catholics within this Archdiocese. That number is expected to increase considering national data from the 2020 U.S. Census indicating that between 2010 and 2020, America's Hispanic population rose from 50.5 million to 62.1 million — accounting for 51.1% of total growth during that period.

To engage with this major demographic group effectively, The Hispanic Ministry partners with archdiocesan offices and parishes ensuring all Spanish speakers seeking help from Church receive necessary assistance while offering Spanish-language events programs services throughout Bergen Essex Hudson Union counties

Next steps include launching two-year educational program training lay Catholics become leaders enhancing existing leadership exploring ways bolster efforts using United States Conference Catholic Bishops’ new National Pastoral Plan for Latino Ministry reviewing Synod findings better connect youth invite more people parishes

“The Hispanic population continues grow significance U.S Church increasing” Deacon Asterio said “It responsibility use influence benefit Church preparing play larger role future power make difference”

To learn more about Archdiocese Newark's visit www.rcan.org/ministerio-hispano/