Sights & Sounds: Proclaiming the Divine Savior of the World
On the evening of Aug. 1, the Archdiocese of Newark’s Salvadoran community gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, to commemorate la Fiesta del Divino Salvador del Mundo (Feast of the Divine Savior of the World).
A holy and festive occasion, in El Salvador the celebration unfolds over six days from Aug. 1-6, ending on the Feast of the Transfiguration. Throughout the week there are parades, processions, fairs, and liturgical celebrations across the nation. Salvadoran communities living abroad have continued the tradition which goes back centuries.
Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau celebrated Saturday’s festive Mass, joined by clergy from across the archdiocese. On the altar was a striking statue of el Divino Salvador del Mundo, and beside it a portrait of Saint Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran bishop who was martyred in 1980 and canonized in 2018 by Pope Francis.
Uniting three realities
In his homily, Bishop Chau explained the importance of the feast and its complex role in the life of El Salvador.
“The Feast of the Divine Savior of the World—which commemorates the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor before his disciples Peter, James, and John—is a celebration of hope that unites three realities: faith, national identity, and the hope for transformation,” he said.
He also emphasized the special meaning that the Transfiguration has to Salvadorans:
“Amidst a painful history, the people [of El Salvador] gaze upon the transfigured Christ and profess that suffering and death do not have the final word. The light of Tabor foreshadows the victory of the Resurrection. This is our faith—the faith of the Salvadoran people—proclaimed every August 6th.”
Continuing the journey
Bishop Chau also said that the Divine Savior was not a distant figure to be contemplated from a distance but is a presence that moves hearts and changes lives.
“The Transfiguration does not invite us to remain passively gazing at the heavens,” he said. “After witnessing the glory of Jesus, the disciples had to descend the mountain and continue the journey toward Jerusalem.
Likewise, celebrating the Divine Savior of the World entails a commitment to transforming society: defending human dignity, reconciling families, caring for the poor, accompanying migrants, healing the wounds of violence, and working for true peace.”
After the liturgy, members of the community proceeded to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center where they continued the celebration with music and dancing.
To view more images from la Fiesta del Divino Salvador del Mundo, CLICK HERE.
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You can view a video of the celebration below:
Featured image: The Salvadoran community celebrated la Fiesta del Divino Salvador del Mundo at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Aug. 1. (Photo by Julio Eduardo Herrera / Archdiocese of Newark)
