Different Catholic cultures to be united at Marian Celebration

Intermountain Catholic

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Various images, such as these from last year, depicting the Virgin Mary will be on display at the second annual Diocese of Salt Lake City Intercultural Marian Celebration.IC file photo

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, will lead different cultural groups in worship during the Intercultural Marian Celebration Sept. 23.

This celebration will begin with the recitation of the rosary in different languages, followed by a procession of images from various countries depicting how the Virgin Mary is represented in their culture. In addition, Our Lady of Evangelization, patroness of Lima, Peru, will be crowned, Bishop Wester will celebrate Mass, and there will be a reception with ethnic food.

The diocese’s inaugural Intercultural Marian Celebration was held last October at the Madeleine Choir School. Among the cultural communities that participated were African, American, Canadian, Croatian, Filipino, Korean, Native American, Samoan, Tongan, Vietnamese, and numerous Latin American countries.

In his homily on that occasion, Bishop Wester mentioned that, sadly, some people try to divide communities, but God is the only creator in which we all become one. "We unify in and with Jesus," he said. "We are all one."

Among the participants was Silvia Hernández, an Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner. "I was so excited when we were informed that this year we will have this celebration again, and more because I am from Peru and the Lady of the Evangelization is our mother," she said.