The Catholic faith in the United States takes on a festive spirit, filled with color and song, during Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. Every Hispanic community arriving in this country brings a priceless treasure: its traditions, its patron saints, and—above all—its unique way of singing to God. To launch our new series "Flor y Canto Celebrates," we proudly join in the observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, exploring how the music of the beloved Flor y Canto hymnal is not only a collection of popular and beloved songs with deep liturgical and pastoral significance; rather, through its four editions spanning more than thirty years, Flor y Canto represents the living heartbeat of our faith as it is embodied in culture.
The expression "Flor y Canto" (inheriting the Nahuatl metaphor in xochitl, in cuicatl) represents the quest for truth and connects with our cultures across Latin America. Just as the Word of God became flesh, the liturgy becomes incarnate in local cultures. Flor y Canto celebrates the fact that God speaks and reveals Himself through the rhythms, chords, and poetry of our people. Hispanic liturgical music lifts the soul through joy and emotion. It is an aesthetic encounter with the God of life, who delights in the cultural diversity of His children. Thus, the variety of rhythms found in Flor y Canto—ranging from Mexican mariachi and Caribbean salsa to Andean rhythms—reflects the universality of the Church: one faith, many voices.
The Pastoral Sense: Building Bridges in the Parish
Flor y Canto celebrates is a space for celebration and encounter for pastoral ministers, music directors, and the Hispanic family at large. For many immigrants and their descendants, singing in their own language and to their own rhythms during the liturgy affirms their dignity. Echoing Saint Augustine—who said, "He who sings prays twice"—Flor y Canto celebrates series seeks to ensure that Hispanic people feel at home singing their traditions and praising the Lord. It does so through a resource that has lovingly accompanied them for over thirty years, singing alongside the Hispanic community, listening to their needs, and adapting to the challenges of the times. It is a natural way for Flor y Canto to embrace the hopes of the Hispanic people as we journey together toward the Lord.
Moments and devotions such as Las Mañanitas to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Las Posadas, or the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), as well as patronal feasts, offer many opportunities for evangelization. In these important Hispanic events and through the years, Flor y Canto has remained committed to supporting Hispanic parish ministry, strengthening popular piety, and uniting the faithful around the Altar and beyond, in their homes and neighborhoods. Within the context of parish ministry—where many Hispanic families often face challenges of adaptation—the diverse and popular Flor y Canto repertoire has facilitated and continues to support liturgical participation. It also incorporates bilingual songs that address the evolving intergenerational needs and musical diversity of Hispanic Catholics in the United States.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Us
Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15, coincides with the anniversary of the independence of five Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18, turning these weeks into a celebration of great historical pride. What better occasion to celebrate the pride of our countries than with the music of Flor y Canto! The pages of the hymnal include songs and music from practically all the Spanish-speaking regions of the world. Its various composers have included rhythms in multiple Mass Settings and the songs included in the hymnal reflect the presence of all Spanish-speaking countries in the United States. Rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Andean countries or Mexico are represented in popular songs, as well as in elaborate and theological sound songs, which elegantly combine liturgical reverence with the flavor of the cultures of our people. Therefore, throughout this month, the "Flor y Canto celebrates" series will show the joy of our Hispanics Catholic as they celebrate their traditions, offer suggestions for liturgical resources, reflect on the cultural richness of songs for masses and on how to celebrate Hispanic customs in your parish community in a respectful and vibrant way. We invite you to open the pages of Flor y Canto, tune your guitars, raise your voices and thank God for the richness of our culture. Our faith is also expressed in our songs!