CHARLOTTE — As the persecution of Catholics in Nicaragua continues, an exiled Nicaraguan priest now serving in Charlotte is offering a series of special Masses in honor of the Immaculate Conception – a feast day that has special devotion in his homeland.
Father Ramiro Tijerino is bringing the special celebration of “La Purísima” from Nicaragua here – offering three consecutive nights of special Masses Dec. 4-6 at St. Patrick Cathedral to commemorate the feast.
“The Masses are intended to remind us of the feast of the Immaculate Conception that blesses all peoples, both the Nicaraguan people and the people of the United States, and to ask her to intercede with our Lord for the peace, harmony and well-being of our people," Father Tijerino said.
In Nicaragua, religious liberty and other human rights have been severely eroded by the administration of President Daniel Ortega, which has closed more than 3,000 nongovernmental organizations, and expelled priests and women religious.
Father Tijerino and a fellow priest, Father Oscar Benavides, spent nearly seven months in prison before being exiled in February. Their bishop, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, an outspoken critic of Nicaragua’s government, remains in prison. The two priests have been welcomed to the Diocese of Charlotte and now minister in the Charlotte area.
Nearly 20 people attended the first Mass on Monday night. Everyone is welcome to attend the remaining liturgies, being offered at 7 p.m. Tuesday (in Spanish) and 7 p.m. Wednesday (in English).
Father Tijerino celebrated the liturgy in Spanish, calling to mind both the love and protection of our Blessed Mother, along with reminisces about how the feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in his native land.
"Remember that Jesus left Mary for us at the foot of the cross, and told the apostle John to take her home, as the Gospel recounts,” Father Tijerino said. “And it wasn’t to protect and help Mary – quite the opposite. It was for us to receive her, for us to take Mary home, for her to protect us, for her to intercede for us, to take care of us.”
Father Tijerino explained that this feast has been celebrated for more than 200 years in Nicaragua and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people who celebrate it publicly in the streets of all the cities and towns with “la gritería” (or “the shouting” – prayerful exaltations of call-and-response during celebrations).
In recent years, such public celebrations in Nicaragua have been suppressed, with the Ortega regime arresting anyone who practices the faith openly.
Father Tijerino described what the celebrations used to be like. “On Dec. 7, the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the bishops would go out into the atrium of their churches to give the first shout, asking the faithful: 'Who causes so much joy?' to which the people would respond at the top of their lungs: 'The Conception of Mary!'"
After Masses, festivities would begin in the streets with “la gritería” as hundreds of people throughout the city all joined in the prayers. Celebrations also included fireworks, special devotions and shared meals, he said.
“Everyone was celebrating the feast. Even evangelicals became Catholics for a day,” Father Tijerino added, smiling.
On behalf of the Nicaraguan community, Father Tijerino took a moment to thank Father Christopher Roux, pastor and rector of St. Patrick Cathedral, for his continuous support and for opening the doors of the cathedral to welcome this celebration.
“I am very grateful to celebrate this feast here at the cathedral,” Father Tijerino said. “We pray for all those facing persecution, for all those who are afraid, and ask our Blessed Mother to protect and intercede for us.”
— Spencer K. M. Brown. Photos by Troy Hull
