Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - The Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, has asked the Dominican people to join efforts and determination to overcome the situation of violence and moral degradation that affects all levels of society. The Cardinal said that the Dominican Republic has many problems, including violence, family breakdown, social irresponsibility and neglect of the underprivileged. During the Mass celebrated at the Cathedral on the occasion of the celebrations of the Virgin of Altagracia, patron saint of the nation, Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez asked the Mother of God to continue to intercede for the Dominican people. He said among other things: "the country has never lacked the protection of the Virgin of Altagracia, and this is proved by the faith and reverence that Dominicans show all year, and especially for the festival on 21 January."
The Cardinal then referred to the message of the Dominican Episcopal Conference (EDC) (see Fides 19/01/2012), where we are asked to become a nation of fraternity and justice for all. He underlined that the great evils of the nation were born mainly due to the loss of moral values in a part of the population: "There is a global economic crisis, but we must not forget that the greatest crisis that strikes us is moral and humane" . In this context he stressed that the love and veneration which is rooted in the heart of the Dominican people for the Virgin of Altagracia means that "we do not lack the protection of the Mother of God."
The feast of the Virgin of Altagracia is celebrated in almost all the national territory, especially in Higuey, Santiago and Santo Domingo. In the capital, where it was celebrated on Saturday, January 21, more than a thousand faithful braved torrential rain to end the procession of the Madonna. Although there are several hypotheses on the origin of the veneration of the Virgin of La Altagracia (dated 1502, 1650 and 1691), many historical witnesses of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, as the patroness of the Dominican Republic dates back to the sixteenth century. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 23/01/2012)
