It was the great Nelson Mandela who reminded all of us that “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head [,but] [i]f you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Having said that, it is now an opportune time to say that the podcast linked here will lead you to a recorded interview spoken in Spanish. Not to worry, however; For those of you who do not speak the language fluently, I have provided a written dialogue for you to follow along. Keep in mind that the interview will explain what has been captured within these photographs taken this past Sunday:
The following interview was with a member of the Peruvian community here on Long Island, having attended this religious event in Long Beach since its start in 1990. For the purpose of the interview, she will be referred to as Ivonne:
REBUILD: Here in these photographs we see what appears to be a religious event. Can you explain to us what this event actually is and what it means to you?
Ivonne: This event is about a religious tradition, and about the faith we have towards the image of el Señor de los Milagos (translated as “Man of the Miracles”) . The Peruvian community comes out every year during the month of October to venerate Him. He is the patron of Peru.
Not only is His following found within Peru itself, but it has expanded to different countries in which Peruvians who keep their faith reside. It’s something very significant for us.
We venerate him every year, because He is who maintains our families both healthy and united – that is what we want el Señor to always help us with. [Though] we honor him year-round, it is within the month of October in which our veneration towards him is strongest. It is when we take his image out to the streets and honor him.
In Peru, it is not only one day, but four: the 17th , 18th, 28th, and 29th of October. In other countries such as in the United States, specifically in Long Beach where we live, it is only one. In other “towns” such as Islip, and in [the state of] New Jersey, he is also honored in one day.
It’s an important holiday for us. We aim to pass on this important tradition to our children, and we try our best to keep our families united on this day. We [also] hope it can stay as it is now – [still] maintaining unity, tradition, and love towards el Señor de los Milagros.
It is within the keeping of such honorable religious faith, particularly within the Catholic religion, in which the act of doing good deeds for others is inspired. The Catholic Peruvian community of Long Beach, NY can thus serve as a prime example, for it is within this religion in which such an act is very much enforced.
Having no specific meaning, the act of doing good deeds can take on multiple roles. Such roles may include the helping of others through the granting of basic human necessities – food, water, and shelter, for example. In dealing with these needs, along with other desires us as humans want – from healthcare to education – there are ways in which we gain strength to help al prójimo (literal meaning “the neighbor”).
For some, such strength to help those less fortunate can grow from past personal experiences. Perhaps people who fall into this particular category may not associate themselves with a particular religion at all. But for members of the Peruvian community like Ivonne, tremendous strength has been – and continues to be – found within the keeping of their Catholic faith.
REBUILD 