Every year, October 12 is an awaited date in the Latin American Chaplaincy of London, composed of Augustinian Recollect religious, religious sisters from different congregations and lay people committed to the social and pastoral care for Spanish-speaking immigrants in the British capital. London is divided into two Catholic dioceses. The celebration, this year, was held at the southern part of Thames, Southwark. The southeast area of the city has hosted many of the Spanish-speaking families. The celebration was significantly successful because this year, it fell on a sunny and pleasant Sunday.
Ecclesiastical authorities were also in attendance. Officials
The Day of the Americas is also a meeting point for the Latino community. Its official representatives to the United Kingdom met with the people they represent. Ambassadors, consuls and diplomats were also present. Local officials of London Borough and some members of the Parlament were also there.
Ecclesiastical authorities were also in attendance, like, Faustino Sainz Munoz, Nuncio of the His Holiness to the United Kingdom, who presided over the celebration; Kevin Patrick Lynch, Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of Southwark; Rafael Mediavilla, prior provincial of the Province San Nicolas de Tolentino, who was on official visit to five Recollect communities of England; and Gerald Wilson, vicar of England of the Province of St. Nicholas.
Father Jesus Perez Recio, in-charge of the chaplaincy, other Augustinian Recollect religious of the communities in London, the clergy of the of the diocese of Southwark, religious sisters of the Latin American Chaplaincy, catechists, bible, prayer and youth groups accompanied the Hispanics on this day. Legal practitioners, who protect the rights of the migrants, were also there.
Some sponsors extended help to the choir. In Spanish
The venue was the beautiful Cathedral of St. George, Episcopal seat of Southwark. His pastor James Cronin is open to all the activities of the Latin American Chaplaincy: the celebration of Sunday Mass in Spanish, catechesis of the youth and children, ceremonies for the reception of the sacraments both for the young and adults. There has always been a space for the Augustinian Recollects.
For the celebration, everything was prepared with great care, respect and affection. The atmosphere created a feeling of brotherhood in Christ, culture and language. The Nuncio of His Holiness celebrated the Mass in Spanish, a Spanish citizen himself, adding luster to the celebration. He felt especially happy to celebrate the Eucharist in his mother tongue for so many people in England.
Some sponsors extended help to the choir, by distributing handouts of the readings and songs for the Eucharistic celebration.
During the ceremony, there were some who volunteered to carry the flags of different countries with their typical national costumes. Flags and “mananitas”
During the ceremony, there were some who volunteered to carry the flags of different countries with their typical national costumes. The Eucharistic celebration begun with the parade of flags, making the occasion emotion-filled and solemn.
In the homily, Faustino Sainz invited everyone to partake in the banquet of Christ, being worthy in words, works and attitudes that will bring us closer to our brothers, following the footsteps of the Virgin Mary. In a special way, he exhorted the those who are present to strengthen the bonds of communion.
At the end was the emotion-filled singing of the “mananita” to the Virgin, as Empress of America, which showed the Marian character of the occasion. Sense of gratitude was reflected on the altar decorated with all kinds of flowers, the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe surrounded by children in national costumes, and the applause at the end of the Eucharist.
The celebration was in highly festive Hispanic mood in London.