Fue en la antigua Isla Española, hoy República Dominicana, donde se plantó la primera cruz, donde se celebró la primera misa, donde se rezó el primer Avemaría y donde se inició el anuncio de la Buena Nueva del Evangelio, que daría origen al nuevo continente de América. En esta tierra se estableció el primer santuario que existió en América, el de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, ubicado en la Villa de Higüey.

It was on the former “Isla Española,” today the Dominican Republic, where the first cross was planted, where the first Mass was celebrated, where the first Hail Mary was recited, and where the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel began, which would give rise to the new continent of America. It was in this land, the first sanctuary that existed in America was established, that of Our Lady of Altagracia, located in Villa de Higüey.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney made a pastoral visit to St. Agnes Parish in Paterson Jan. 23 where he celebrated Mass for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Bishop’s visit also came near the feast day (Jan. 21) of the parish’s patron, St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, who is the patron saint of girls, chastity, Girl Scouts, engaged couples, virgins, and rape victims. Vestments for the Mass were red to mark her death as a martyr.