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CENTRAL AMERICA |
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Nicaraguans Celebrate Virgin Mary At
Traditional Event
By Rodolfo Roman, Special To The Miami
Herald
Standing in front of a decorated altar with
an image of Virgin Mary, Nicaraguan Maria
Vellasquez sang to a statue of the holy
figure, which brought back memories.
Vellasquez, a Catholic, said praying and
signing to the patron saint of Nicaragua
moves her.
``I have a lot of nostalgia,'' said
Vellasquez, wearing a white T-shirt
displaying an image of Mary. ``It helps me
remember my family I have back home.''
On Monday, she was one of thousands of
Nicaraguans who took to the streets of
Little Havana, Kendall, Hialeah and
Sweetwater to celebrate La Griteria.
It has been 20 years since she last
celebrated the event in her native land.
``I feel very emotional and happy,'' said
Vellasquez, who celebrated the religious
affair at St. John Bosco Catholic Church,
1366 NW First St. ``I adore the presence of
Nicaraguans.''
La Griteria is a boisterous celebration,
where Nicaraguan religious followers pray
and sing traditional songs in front of an
altar with an image of Virgin Mary. The
altar could be placed anywhere from a corner
of a family house to a big stage. It is
celebrated every Dec. 7.
While some sing songs to Virgin Mary, other
participants make noise with whistles,
tambourines and other instruments.
As the singing and praying is taking place,
traditional Nicaraguan sweets and drinks,
sugar cane and other gifts are distributed.
Also, in the religious affair, participants
cry out, ``Who causes so much happiness?''
Others answer, ``Mary's Conception.''
To Nicaraguans, the celebration is a way to
show gratitude for Virgin Mary's miracles.
``I have a daughter who was born prematurely
and every year I come to sing to her,'' said
Miami resident Hector Luis Castro.
``I am not leaving until everything is over
with.''
More than 30 altars were set up at St. John
Bosco Catholic Church's parking lot and
across the street at a shopping center. Some
Nicaraguans displayed their altars on the
back of their cars.
The tradition started Dec. 7, 1857, in Leon,
Nicaragua, when a priest wanted to bring joy
to his country after it had endured a
national war, Rev. Juan Carlos Paguaga,
pastor of St. John Bosco, said.
``We see Maria like the mother that joins us
and takes us towards Jesus,'' he said.
Paguaga, a Nicaraguan, says the tradition is
meaningful to the Central American
community.
``This is important in the Nicaragua
community,'' he added.
He led a mass before celebrating outside on
a stage set up at the church's parking lot.
``It's something we have been celebrating
since we were kids and its part of our
faith, culture and family,'' he added.
La Griteria has spread across the county.
In Sweetwater, Alcides Ortega, owner of a
pharmacy, has celebrated La Griteria for
more than 20 years.
``This is a satisfaction to maintain our
faith to the Virgin,'' he said.
Several volunteers and employees handed out
everything from bananas and lemons.
Almost 1,000 people sang religious songs as
a live band played. And dancers performed
Nicaraguan folklore.
Ortega's daughter, Nuvia Ortega said it
takes her about three months to plan the
theme of an altar.
``I am a devotee of the Virgin,'' said Nuvia.
The altar included the image of a large
Virgin Mary along with colorful flowers
inside a fish bowl, gold paper as a
background and Christmas lights.
Although it's a Nicaraguan tradition, other
Hispanic Catholics mark the event.
``I am happy to see the faith and love they
have for the Virgin,'' said Hermas Sanchez,
a Colombian.
He joined Vellasquez at St. John Bosco
Catholic Church.
``People tend to forget about their
traditions, but seeing this changes
everything,'' said Sanchez who visited
several altars.
But the celebration didn't end for
Vellasquez who planned to celebrate La
Griteria at her home Saturday.
``She is the mother of our savior,'' she
said.
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