Miami's Marian Mosaic: Immigrant Devotion to the Virgin

Authors

Roniel Vallejo, Florida International University

Date of this Version

4-12-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Religious Studies

Degree

Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Religious Studies

Abstract

This project explores Marian devotion among various immigrant groups in Miami, including Haitians, Mexicans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Colombians. The research highlights the complexity and diversity of Marian devotion, noting that each ethnic group harbors distinct beliefs about the Virgin Mary, which often blend with other perspectives. The study reveals that Marian devotion is deeply personal and elusive, leading to varied and sometimes hesitant responses to the question, "What does the Virgin Mary mean to you?"

Throughout the investigation, some interviewees struggled to articulate their views, reflecting the profound and often unexamined nature of their devotion. This difficulty in providing a clear answer underscored the personal and sometimes ambiguous relationship individuals have with the Virgin Mary. The research process involved visiting key religious sites, such as Notre-Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church, St. Anne Missions, Our Lady of Charity Shrine, and St. Mary’s Cathedral, and included observations, interviews, and analyses of local news articles.

The study is framed by Thomas Tweed's theory on the role of symbols in immigrant religion, which posits that Marian symbols help immigrants maintain cultural and religious ties to their homeland. According to Tweed, the Virgin Mary serves as a translocative and transtemporal symbol, allowing immigrants to feel connected to their cultural roots and to transcend time and space. This symbolic role of the Virgin Mary fosters a sense of identity and belonging among immigrants, reflecting how religious symbols can reinforce ethnic and national identity.

The project is organized into eight chapters, providing a comprehensive examination of Marian devotion in Miami, the significance of various religious sites, and the theoretical underpinnings of how these symbols influence immigrant communities. The final conclusion theorizes the essence of Miami's Marian Mosaic and its role in shaping immigrant identities.

First Advisor

Dr. Terry Rey

Second Advisor

Dr. James Huchingson

Rights

default

Recommended Citation

Vallejo, Roniel, "Miami's Marian Mosaic: Immigrant Devotion to the Virgin" (2002). Honors College Research Collection. 6.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/honors-research/6