Latinos celebrate feast of the Miraculous Medal

by | Nov 27, 2016 | Eastern Province

holyeucharist-miraculousmedalshrine-spanishcelebration-nov-52016In anticipation of the feast of the Miraculous Medal, approximately 1,200 Latino people gathered at the Miraculous Medal Shrine on Saturday, November 5, 2016. [See Photo Gallery below]

Despite the transit strike that affected travel in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, people arrived from all corners of the Philadelphia area, including South Philly, North Philly, Norristown, Chester, Coatesville, Lansdale, and Malvern as well as other cities and neighboring states including New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. The people, most of whom are from Central and South America, enjoyed the opportunity to come together as one family with the Blessed Mother at the center.

With the assistance of a translator, Mary Ann Dantuono, President of the Ladies of Charity USA, spoke to the group about the Ladies of Charity who are celebrating their 400th Anniversary of their founding by St. Vincent de Paul.

The Celebration’s focus was on family time, prayer, blessings, and building relationships between the people, who are all from many different Latino countries, remembering that they have one faith that unites them despite all their differences. One of the greatest joys of the Latino culture is the opportunity to share food and fellowship with family and friends.

One of the greatest joys of the Latino culture is the opportunity to share food and fellowship with family and friends.Food is a symbol that builds and strengthens relationships, especially since there is a prayer before eating. Cooking is a way of showing love, as in, “I cooked all night for you…”

Thus, on November 5, 2016, not only did the Latino community mark a new phase in the history of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, but perhaps also the rebirth of the Ladies of Charity in Philadelphia.

Source and full story courtesy of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal.

The following gallery captures something of the spirit as they came together as one family with the Blessed Mother at the center.