Hundreds of Nicaraguans gathered in Miami to celebrate the Dec. 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception, singing praises to the Virgin Mary at altars set up in church parking lots and on the streets, despite fears for their safety in both Nicaragua and the United States.
The celebration, known as “gritería,” is especially meaningful this year as religious practices in Nicaragua face government crackdowns and immigrant communities in the U.S. encounter heightened enforcement.
“We’re going to do it no matter what,” said Neri Flores, who traveled from Chicago to set up an altar with his parents. “It’s tradition, family, giving back to the community, keeping up the faith and positive vibes.”
Families displayed paintings and statues of the Virgin Mary, some carried from Nicaragua decades ago. Michael Garcia, born in Miami, said, “All the blessings that we have are thanks to her. For the Virgin, there is no impossible.”
In Nicaragua, the government has intensified repression against the Catholic Church, accusing clergy of supporting unrest following protests in 2018. Many priests and laypeople have been imprisoned or exiled, and public religious celebrations face restrictions.
In the U.S., fears among Nicaraguan migrants have grown as the Trump administration moved to end temporary protections for nearly 430,000 migrants from Nicaragua and other countries.
At Miami’s St. John Bosco Catholic Parish, over a thousand people attended, singing and praying by elaborately decorated altars. Rev. Yader Centeno, the pastor, said the event was a moment to strengthen faith and send a message of freedom to those still in Nicaragua.
Some altars featured balloon arches, lights, and sound systems, while others were simple displays in car trunks. Participants sang traditional hymns and offered food, toys, and religious items to support the community.
“I’m super happy. To have this tradition outside of my country is something grand,” said Scarlet Desbas, setting up her family’s altar. Many participants undertook the elaborate preparations as a promise to the Virgin, seeking protection for themselves and loved ones.
At St. Agatha Catholic Parish, Rev. Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, urged the congregation to speak against oppression and faith-based persecution. “The Virgin is not going to forget our people and one day, Nicaragua will be free,” he said.
Rev. Marcos Somarriba, pastor at St. Agatha’s, noted the dire situation for the faithful in Nicaragua, calling on U.S. authorities to ensure immigration policies protect Nicaraguans who fled persecution.
Oscar Carballo, attending the altars at St. John Bosco’s, said, “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.”