Full Breakdown
Nicaraguans Celebrate the Virgin Mary in Miami Amid Fears of Repression
12/10/2025, 1:29:03 AM
Community Gathering in Miami
On December 7, 2025, hundreds of Nicaraguans gathered in Miami to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a significant religious event marked by the tradition known as “gritería.” Participants set up flower-and-light-filled altars in church parking lots and on the streets, despite ongoing fears for their safety both in Nicaragua and the United States. The celebration was particularly poignant this year due to intensified government crackdowns on religious practices in Nicaragua and heightened immigration enforcement in the U.S.
Religious Crackdown in Nicaragua
The Nicaraguan government, led by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, has a long-standing contentious relationship with faith leaders. Following violent repression of civic protests in 2018, the government has increasingly targeted Catholic clergy, accusing them of inciting unrest. Reports indicate that hundreds of religious figures have been imprisoned or exiled, and many public religious celebrations have been restricted. Human rights advocates assert that the Catholic Church has become a critical voice against state violence and a source of support for its victims.
Impact on Nicaraguan Migrants in the U.S.
In the United States, the Trump administration's efforts to end temporary legal protections for approximately 430,000 migrants from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti have contributed to a climate of fear within immigrant communities. At St. John Bosco Catholic Parish in Miami, where many attendees are undocumented, over a thousand people participated in the celebration, expressing their faith and solidarity. Rev. Yader Centeno, the parish pastor, emphasized that the event served as a moment to strengthen faith and convey a message of freedom to those still in Nicaragua.
Expressions of Faith and Community Support
Participants displayed altars adorned with paintings and statues of the Virgin Mary, some of which had been carried from Nicaragua decades ago. Many families undertook the elaborate preparations as a promise to the Virgin, seeking protection for themselves and their loved ones. The altars varied in complexity, with some featuring elaborate decorations while others were simpler displays. Attendees sang traditional hymns and offered food, toys, and religious items to support the community.
Voices of Hope and Resistance
During the celebrations, Rev. Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, called on attendees to speak out against oppression and the misuse of faith for political ends. He expressed hope for a future where Nicaragua would be free from repression. Similarly, Rev. Marcos Somarriba highlighted the dire conditions for the faithful in Nicaragua and urged U.S. authorities to implement immigration policies that protect those fleeing persecution.
Conclusion: A Call for Peace
As the celebrations continued, participants like Oscar Carballo reflected on the significance of the event, stating, “Here you feel like in the patio of your home. The only thing I ask her is that we can stay here, and that there might be peace. Everywhere.” The gathering not only reinforced cultural traditions but also served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Nicaraguans both at home and abroad.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re going to do it no matter what,” — Neri Flores, Participant
- “All the blessings that we have are thanks to her. For the Virgin, there is no impossible.” — Michael Garcia, Participant
- “Today’s event is all about a gesture of trust,” — Rev. Yader Centeno, Pastor
- “The Virgin is not going to forget our people and one day, Nicaragua will be free,” — Rev. Silvio Báez, Auxiliary Bishop of Managua
- “The U.S. government should take clear measures to protect the peoples, the Nicaraguans, who have come here because they have lost their homeland,” — Rev. Marcos Somarriba, Pastor
