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Unity in Christ: Hispanic Communities of Saint Mary & Saint Rose of Lima Gather for the Jubilee of Hope
Anderson de Souza, SVD
Although Bishop William Wack, C.S.C., of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, designated specific Jubilee churches for pilgrimages, many Hispanic parishioners felt unable to participate, due of heightened concerns over strict immigration policies, and the accompanying fear of detention or referral to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) kept some from making the journey.
Despite these obstacles, the parishes embraced the Jubilee spirit locally at Saint Mary Catholic Church. The celebration began the week prior, on August 9th, with a Eucharistic Congress at Saint Mary Parish. The event featured reflections from Fr. Christian Cardenas of the Diocese of Saint Augustine, Deacon Santiago Molina, director of the Hispanic Ministry in the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese, and Fr. Anderson de Souza, SVD. Each speaker emphasized the central role of the Eucharist in the daily life of the faithful and highlighted how baptism calls each Christian to mission through the Eucharist. The Congress welcomed about 175 participants, including parishioners from Saint Mary, Saint Rose of Lima, and neighboring parishes served by the Hispanic Ministry.
On August 16th, the Jubilee of the Hispanic Ministry brought together roughly 200 parishioners. The celebration was led by Divine Word Missionary Priests Fr. Anderson de Souza and Fr. Raimundo Maciel Ribeiro. The day included a Eucharistic procession from the Parish Life Center to Saint Mary Church, the celebration of Mass, and afterward, the recitation of the Rosary with the Legion of Mary, followed by a joyful reception. Hymns and prayers in both English and Spanish underscored the spirit of unity as one family in Christ.
Even in the face of challenges, the Hispanic and English faithful found strength and inspiration in the Jubilee. Their commitment was clear: to build bridges across cultural and language barriers and foster community life grounded in the Word, the Eucharist, the charity, and the evangelization.
