National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15, 2025 – October 15, 2025
We approach National Hispanic Heritage Month this year at a time of much tension and anxiety for many of the Hispanic members of our communities. We have the opportunity of finding concrete ways to express hospitality, appreciation and affirmation. Fortunately, our Episcopal Book of Occasional Services (available free online) offers wonderful resources. The most recent edition of this book (2022) has included a number of observances of special significance to Hispanic persons. Several are coming up this fall and winter. With prompt and careful planning, all congregations can offer celebrations that enhance relationship building with our Hispanic neighbors.
The Book of Occasional Services offers sage advice: when considering planning these various rites, we should “engage in dialogue with those for whom these devotions are culturally indigenous and seek to learn from their experience.” For starters, contact our diocesan Hispanic Missioner, Father José Palma. His congregations in Carthage and Noel regularly observe these festivities. Arrangements could be made to plan a visit to Grace Church or San Nicolás. I particularly recommend participation in their annual celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, featuring beautiful decorations, a mariachi band, and outstanding food! A next step would be to contact Hispanic community leaders close to your church. Making these connections is in itself a significant gesture. The interest we show expresses welcome and affirmation, and forms good relationships.
The Días de los Muertos (days of the dead) coincide with our observances of All Saints and All Souls Days (November 1 and 2). We can enhance our liturgical celebration of these important days on the Christian calendar by considering construction of a special altar. Advice from Hispanic persons will be essential, but here are some initial suggestions to spark exploration. The altars typically feature bright orange marigolds. According to traditional belief, these function as a beacon to guide the souls of the dead back to fellowship with the living. Photographs of dearly departed persons are often placed on the altar, as well as mementos, favorite saints, and sometimes food items that were enjoyed by the deceased. Preparing the altar involves persons of all ages, adding color, beauty and personal meaning to our usual liturgies on these very special days.
The commemoration of the Virgin of Guadalupe happens on or around December 12. We remember an appearance of Mary in Mexico at the beginning of Spanish colonialism. She spoke in nahuatl, the language of the conquered Aztecs. Her brown skin and maternal care spoke forcibly to the poor and suffering native peoples of Mexico. She is the patroness of Mexico, and revered in much of Latin America and by Hispanic people here in the US. The Book of Occasional Services offers a complete liturgy for this celebration. An image of the Virgin of Guadalupe should be displayed in the sanctuary—a very meaningful gesture of welcome to Hispanic persons.
On any evening from December 16 to 24, Hispanics enjoy participating in Las Posadas. They remember how Mary and Joseph sought shelter in Bethlehem. The party begins with knocking on several doors where entrance is refused. The last door welcomes the Holy Family. All then enjoy wonderful food (usually including tamales) and the breaking of a piñata. Oft all children receive small gifts. Special songs enhance the observance. Participating in this event at Grace Church in Carthage is helpful preparation.
The Book of Occasional Services also includes liturgies that can happen at any time of the year: presentation of a child, and celebration of a quinceañera (15 year old). In the past the latter was normally only for girls, but there is no reason not to celebrate young people from any gender. Marking these significant rites of passage has great meaning for Hispanic persons of all ages. We can help create very special memories.
Hispanic culture has such a rich spiritual heritage. Welcoming their celebrations blesses all of us. May we rejoice together!
This article was submitted by the Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier, Dean Emeritus of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry.
