Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, will lead the Archdiocese’s Hispanic Heritage Jubilee Mass on October 10, 2025, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The event will be conducted in Spanish and marks both National Hispanic Heritage Month and the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year 2025.

The Mass will feature participation from all four auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese, including Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, who is noted as the first Nicaraguan-born bishop in the United States. Parishioners are expected to attend wearing traditional cultural attire. Liturgical songs during the service will be performed in Spanish.

A key part of the celebration includes a procession where participants carry flags representing Spanish-speaking countries and banners that honor each nation’s patronage of the Virgin Mary. This aspect is meant to underscore faith and cultural unity within the Hispanic community.

“In the Hispanic community, our Catholic faith is a big part of our identity,” said Deacon Asterio Velasco, director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Hispanic Ministry. “By celebrating this Mass, we’re honoring our culture, our traditions and everything that makes us who we are. What better way to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month during the Church’s Jubilee Year?”

Statistics from the Archdiocese's Hispanic Ministry indicate that Hispanics make up about 40% of Catholics in its jurisdiction—a figure projected to rise in line with national trends seen in recent U.S. Census data. Between 2010 and 2020, America’s Hispanic population grew from roughly 50 million to over 62 million people.

To address this demographic shift, the ministry works with parishes and archdiocesan offices to provide services for Spanish speakers seeking church assistance. Offerings include events held in Spanish as well as educational programs such as monthly lectures by clergy and theology experts.

In 2024, a new two-year faith formation program was introduced by the ministry featuring courses on Bible study, ecclesiology, Church history, among other topics. The program has reached full enrollment for its initial year with expectations for increased interest next year.

“Our Hispanic faithful are some of the most passionate Catholics in the Archdiocese of Newark,” Deacon Velasco said. “Spanish Masses are always well-attended, and there’s strong interest in the Hispanic Ministry’s programs. The community is truly a blessing, which is why we are committed to doing everything we can to accompany them on their faith journey.”

Further information about these initiatives can be found at rcan.org/ministerio-hispano/.