Hispanics: Who Are We?

THE HISPANIC REALITY
For the Church in the United States being truly Catholic has always been a uniquely challenging part of our lives. Unlike the Church in more homogeneous European Societies, we have always been a “Church of Immigrants,” a church of diverse ethnic groups and peoples. Whether these groups have come from Western or Eastern Europe, or from Africa, Central or South America or from the Caribbean, or from Asia, we have always had to find ways to realize our oneness in Christ.

This challenge has taken a certain urgency in our day, with the growing presence of our Hispanic brothers and sisters. While the Spanish culture is the oldest European culture in the United States (pre-dating the arrival of the English by more than half a century), it has been only within the past thirty years that Spanish speaking people have become the fastest growing Catholic community in the country. The bishops of the United States, in their pastoral letter THE HISPANIC PRESENCE, estimated in 1983 that there were at least 20 million people of Hispanic origin in this country, and the fact is that in the census of 2000 there are already 38.8 million Hispanics leading us to believe that the Hispanics are the largest minority group.

Recent studies conclude that 65% of this group is Catholic, the Hispanic presence in the Church of U.S. is a profound opportunity for it to realize a new catholicity. In the Archdiocese of Newark, according to the 2000 Census, there was an increase of 40% in the Hispanic population to approximately 558,858. Hispanics constitute 20% of the total population in the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark.

It should be further noted that when we speak of Hispanic presence, whether in the country as a whole or in the Archdiocese, we are not referring to a homogeneous group. While it is true that Hispanics share a common language and certain key values, (such as respect for individual dignity, a strong sense of family and community life, and a special devotion to Mary) these should not blind us to the equally important fact that they come from many different countries (20 to be exact), each with its own history, culture and furthermore many different models of church.

CULTURE
Culture is a peoples way of life. It is expressed by patterns of behavior, which reflect the codes or rules that guide how people behave. These patterns give human existence its regularity, purpose and meaning.

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are certain basic differences between the Dominant Culture and the Hispanic Culture. If we look at both cultures we are going to find a great deal of richness in values, and we will realize that we can learn a great deal from each other, about family, religion, even time and the value of work. Remember, being different is not good or bad, just different. If we understand the differences, it will help us to arrive to a successful get together keeping in mind a model of integration and not assimilation.

You can take positive steps to give a genuine welcome to your Hispanic brothers and sisters:
a) Identify leadership within the Hispanic community. This leadership is important only if the leader can relate to other Hispanics. This person (or persons) who is respected and trusted by their own Hispanic community can become your best link with the community.
b) Common courtesies like trying to pronounce names correctly, showing interest for their culture and whatever their needs may be.
c) Recognizing them as church, maybe a different model of church, but all live members of the body of Christ.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS
TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD:
Faith and Culture are very interwoven. God is a loving “Father” who cares! Hispanics recognition to the will of God “Si Dios Quiere”(God willing) should not be confused with fatalism. Their faith is in God of history. God is also a just God who repays evil doing over time. (“Papá Dios te va a castigar”) (God is going to punish you).

FAMILY:
Children are taught to deal with God as “Papá Dios” (God the Father) and everyone is a brother and sister. Community is family. Extended family, “comadres”, “compadres”, “hijos de crianza”, “padrinos” (godparents). The mother of a child and his godmother are “comadres”. The father of a child and his godfather are “compadres”. The “ancianos”(elderly) are a revered source of wisdom. “Los abuelitos” (grandparents) are responsible for keeping the faith (Spanish speaking). The “abrazo” (hug) gesture is a symbol of love and affection in celebration.

PERSON:
A person is more than an individual. It is made at God’s image and belongs to God; therefore it is of primary importance, and law and institutions are secondary. Time is subject to people, not people to time. “People” takes precedent over events, i.e.. Death of a relative over school. Life is a gift of God which unfolds in joy and tragedy. But it is to be lived to the fullest. So health and life are important to enjoy. “Si tenemos vida y salud, lo demás sobra” (If we have life and health all other is extra).

CELEBRATIONS:
“Fiesta” is intrinsic to the Hispanic soul. Ritual and song sustain life. (Parents may not come to a meeting, but mix it with some socializing and they will come) i.e.,. Coffee after Mass every Sunday.

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSIONS:
Pilgrimages, special blessings, vigil lights, holy water, promises to God, statues, medals, rosary, funeral novenas. Little “Altarcitos” (Altars) at home. They are not a substitution but an extension of the church where it was inaccessible.

Superstitions (Santería, Espiritismo) a way adopting to new situations. Give concrete answers.

Hispanic Apostolate