NewsWhore
09-25-2012, 04:50 PM
Hundreds of pilgrims visited the shrine to Virgin of Mercedes in La Vega yesterday, 24 September to pay homage to Mary, the mother of Jesus. During the service Father Porfirio Espinal expressed concern about inequality in Dominican Republic, saying that many people lived without real freedom, with only basic sanitation. He called on the government to remember that the first cross of the New World was placed in La Vega.
24 September is celebrated around the country as the day of the Virgin of Mercedes, who is the patron saint of Dominicans.
However, press reports said that church attendance around the country was reduced compared to previous years. Journalists observed that in many areas people were drinking outside churches, playing loud music. Pilgrims attending the mass were critical of the situation, saying that they wished to have an area to think peacefully and spiritually to communicate with the Virgin.
www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2012/9/24/447699/Cientos-veneran-a-la-virgen-de-Las-Mercedes-y-otros-hacen-del-lugar-una (http://www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2012/9/24/447699/Cientos-veneran-a-la-virgen-de-Las-Mercedes-y-otros-hacen-del-lugar-una)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)
24 September is celebrated around the country as the day of the Virgin of Mercedes, who is the patron saint of Dominicans.
However, press reports said that church attendance around the country was reduced compared to previous years. Journalists observed that in many areas people were drinking outside churches, playing loud music. Pilgrims attending the mass were critical of the situation, saying that they wished to have an area to think peacefully and spiritually to communicate with the Virgin.
www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2012/9/24/447699/Cientos-veneran-a-la-virgen-de-Las-Mercedes-y-otros-hacen-del-lugar-una (http://www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2012/9/24/447699/Cientos-veneran-a-la-virgen-de-Las-Mercedes-y-otros-hacen-del-lugar-una)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)