ORLANDO | Dominicans from around the Diocese of Orlando lined in procession to celebrate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Our Lady of Mercy, for the first time. The Mass in honor of the island’s patroness took place at St. James Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2026.
Born of Dominican parents, Father Michael Batista, parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in St. Cloud, presided at the request of the Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Orlando.
Father Batista explained the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy originated in Spain in the 13th century through the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, commonly called the Mercedarians.
According to the tradition of the Order, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Peter Nolasco on the night of Aug. 1, 1218. She encouraged him to establish a religious order dedicated to the liberation of Christians who had been captured and enslaved by the Muslims during the conflicts of medieval Spain.
The title “Mercedes” comes from the Spanish word merced, meaning mercy. Mary was therefore invoked as Our Lady of Mercy, the Mother who intercedes for those who suffer and brings them toward freedom in Christ.
When Our Lady was brought to the Dominican Republic, she was particularly associated with Santo Cerro or Holy Hill. According to Dominican tradition, the Spanish forces were facing resistance from the indigenous Taíno people at the Battle of the Santo Cerro in 1495. Tradition notes the Virgin Mary appeared during the battle and brought protection to the Spanish soldiers. A sanctuary dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes is located there.
Today, Our Lady of Mercy is part of Dominican daily life as Catholics pray for their families, freedom, healing and consolation, peace, protection and strength in suffering.
Joshua Díaz of Holy Family Parish in Orlando played the music and said he was grateful to be a part of the historic Mass. Although he was born in Queens, New York, his family moved to Santo Domingo when he was 6. They returned to the United States in 2012, at age 21. He recalled processions through town when he was growing up.
“It is an honor and a great joy, that the Consulate takes this seriously. Often people confuse the Virgin of Altagracia with our patroness, Our Lady of Mercy. As more and more Dominicans move to this city, I feel great joy to be a pioneer in celebrating our Mother in our own language, especially during this Hispanic Heritage Month,” he said. “She is our protectress.”
Although little more 100 Dominicans came as the Mass was planned on short notice, “It was a beautiful Mass and celebration of the Eucharist with Father Batista, the only Dominican priest in the diocese, that I know of,” he said. “To be among Dominicans, it was a beautiful gift from Our Lady to her Church.”
He hopes this is the first of many Masses celebrated for Our Lady of Mercy as the Hispanic church continues to grow in the region. “I pray the people take away the certainty that Our Mother is constantly laboring for us, offering that mercy that comes from the Lord. It is important that moments such as these take place to remind us of our values and our Hispanic roots.”
By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 1, 2026