Archbishop José H. Gomez, joined by his fellow bishops from across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as from the Dioceses of Orange and San Bernardino, led thousands in celebrating the annual Mass in Recognition of Immigrants July 20 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The theme for the Mass — “You gave your children good ground for hope” — was taken from the first reading from the Book of Wisdom.
“As we all know, this land was built by the blood and sacrifice and the vision of missionaries and immigrants from every race and language and every nation,” the archbishop said in his homily. “So today we give thanks for all those men and women who left the places where they were born — to bring their faith and values, their talents and gifts — to create a new life and a new world here in America.”
Nearly 5,000 gathered for the Mass, leaving more than a thousand outside the cathedral to listen to the celebration through speakers. Thousands waited to venerate the relic of Santo Toribio Romo, which traveled throughout southern California in the weeks leading up to the Mass.
The relic, a bone from the left ankle of Santo Toribio, is encased in a 4-foot-5 statue of the saint, which was lent to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by the saint’s home chapel in Jalisco, Mexico. Many immigrants believe the Mexican-born priest — martyred during the Cristiada — helps them reach the United States. ŒΩ
