The Conference of the Dominican Episcopate (CED) commemorated the 100th anniversary of the canonical coronation of the Mother of God in Altagracia.
In their pastoral letter entitled “Our Lady of Altagracia: a gift from God for the Dominican people”, the bishops recall the story of the image of the Virgin of Altagracia explaining that “through a young girl named ‘La Niña’, she focused her aspirations on on the ornaments that beautify the youth, but on the love and devotion towards the Mother of Heaven, who in a dream had become known as “Altagracia”.
The young woman was sure that her father, a Spanish landowner, who lives in Higüey, would bring her back from his trip to Santo Domingo ”.
In the document, the Episcopate recounts the beginnings of this Marian dedication which had two commemorative dates: August 15 and January 21, the first on the occasion of the canonical coronation of the Virgin of Altagracia in 1922 and the second on the occasion of the great feast of the people of Higueya when they return. safe from the battle of La Limonade.
January 21 was declared a national and religious holiday throughout the Dominican territory under the government of Horacio Vásquez, with Archbishop Alejandro Nouel as archbishop.
The pastoral letter also refers to the difficult times the Dominican nation is going through because of COVID-19, so that the bishops come to the protection of the Virgin of Altagracia to pray for all those suffering from the pandemic, as well as for the authorities responsible for health and public order. .
“The Virgin of Altagracia to intercede for all COVID-19 patients, for the most vulnerable, for those who feel depressed, for those who have lost their job with whom they have maintained their home, for those who go out every day looking the support of his family and also intercedes for all the unconscious who do not care about the health of others or the order in society “, it is shown in a part of the document.
Given the current health and socio-economic conditions that the country is experiencing, the prelates call on the Dominican people to “keep alive the attitudes of care, service and dedication”, not to be “afraid of sacrifice”.
They also urged the population to learn to give up “little to help others with more needs” and to be more “kind, loving, supportive, advocating for the disadvantaged and protecting the most suffering.”
About the Pastoral Letter and the Message
It is one of the official documents of the CED, where the bishops address especially the Catholic parishioners, touching on a doctrinal, catechetical, pastoral and theological theme.
Its publication is made on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Altagracia, the patron saint of the Dominican people, celebrated every January 21.
In contrast, the document called “Message” and which is published in February, on the occasion of National Independence, aims to address issues of national interest, the presentation of socio-political views of the country and addressed to all Dominicans.