Our Lady of El Cisne Feast Day Celebration

Every August in Ecuador there is a Pilgrimage carrying the Statue of Our Lady of El Cisne from El Cisne to Loja with fiestas in every town along the way.

For the past 3 years Brooklyn has had its own fiesta in honor of the Feast day of Our Lady of El Cisne right here at St. Thomas Aquinas. This year's celebration started on August 12th, 2005 with a Rosario. The fiesta began on Saturday, August 13th, 2005 at 6 p.m. with the moving of the statue from its shrine in the Church to a platform in the church yard. The "Ecuadorian Pearl Band" provided music in the church yard and led the procession carrying the image of Our Lady of El Cisne through the streets of Park Slope. The procession consisted of songs & spoken prayers and was very well attended. Upon our return to the church yard, the image of Our Lady of El Cisne led us into the church for the celebration of Holy Mass which was attended by over 600 people. The attendance number is even more impressive considering the fact that the temperature was in the high 90's and the church is not air conditioned. Following Holy Mass there was a shorter procession around the block carrying the image into the Church Auditorium. The reception in the church auditorium consisted of refreshments and the performance of traditional Ecuadorian songs and dances. I’m certain that those of you who were able to participate had a grand time! For those of you who missed out -- consider attending next year!! Your Mother is inviting you to come and celebrate!

Pictures will be posted on the website in a couple of weeks!

We thank the members of the Comité Ecuatoriano Reina del Cisne for all of their hard work in preparation for this celebration!