Tradition, Faith, and Living Music in Vieques
The community of All Saints and Saints Mission in Vieques warmly invites the people of Vieques and our brothers and sisters throughout Puerto Rico to participate in the Pilgrimage to Vieques: Festival of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Vieques Multipurpose Center.
This year, the Festival of the Cross will be dedicated to Saint Jude Thaddeus, recognized in Christian tradition as the patron saint of difficult and desperate causes. At a time when so many people carry concerns, illnesses, losses, and economic or family challenges, this dedication seeks to serve as a symbol of hope, perseverance, and faith for our community.
The event, coordinated by Father José A. Díaz, will be a traditional Vieques-style celebration filled with spirituality, culture, and community fellowship. There will be live music featuring Music Director Nelson Escalera, singer Emilio Cabrera, musicians from Loíza and Vieques, and the All Saints and Saints Mission Choir, who will accompany the traditional songs and prayers of this ancient Puerto Rican devotional tradition.
Singer Emilio Cabrera is a renowned Puerto Rican musician and percussionist, particularly known for playing congas and güiro with groups dedicated to preserving the traditional Festivals of the Holy Cross and other expressions of our Afro-Caribbean cultural heritage.
During the celebration, the traditional 19 Songs of the Holy Cross will be performed, including Marian litanies in Latin, sung rosaries, devotional hymns, and verses set to the rhythms of the waltz, aguinaldo, seis chorreao, guaracha, bomba, plena, and rumba.
The celebration will be accompanied by percussion and other musical instruments, and the songs will be performed antiphonally: the cantor sings one line and the congregation responds with the next, creating a deeply participatory and communal atmosphere.
The Festivals of the Cross are part of a centuries-old tradition found throughout Puerto Rico and other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Historically, communities gathered around flower-adorned crosses to sing, pray, and give thanks, blending Christian faith with the cultural and musical expressions of the people.
In Vieques, this tradition continues to be a space of unity, hope, and collective memory. More than a religious activity, it is a celebration of our cultural identity and the spiritual strength of the community.
Refreshments, surprises, and a welcoming atmosphere for the whole family will be provided.
Bring your prayer intentions. Do not miss this wonderful celebration of faith, music, and Puerto Rican tradition.
We look forward to welcoming you!
For more information, please contact the event coordinator, Father José A. Díaz, at (787) 414-3903.
